UK patients are being deprived of access to advanced clinical research

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), representing UK pharmaceutical firms, has raised concerns that patients in the UK are losing opportunities to participate in pioneering clinical studies. According to the organisation, slow trial start-up times and low patient recruitment are increasing costs and reducing the efficiency of industry-led clinical trials in the country.

The ABPIs annual report on clinical trials, published on 2 December 2025, shows that between 2022/2023 and 2024/2025, the number of patients enrolled in UK industry trials fell by 25%. Participation in commercial studies has now reached its lowest level since 2017/2018. Despite some recovery in trial involvement since the pandemic, only 3.4% of participants in 2024 were recruited through industry studies within the NHS.

Pharmaceutical companies cite slow trial start-ups and lower recruitment targets at UK sites compared with other European nations as major factors behind the decline. Many trials abroad recruit faster, meaning UK patients are often excluded before enrollment begins. The UK Government has previously acknowledged these challenges, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Minister Wes Streeting promising faster trial initiation.

While regulatory decisions are now meeting target timelines, only 27% of UK trial sites opened within the 60-day target, and 41% enrolled their first participant within 30 days. Government interventions followed a 2023 report by Lord James OShaughnessy, which revealed that the UK fell from fourth to tenth in global contributions to clinical trials.

Tracey Loftis, Deputy Director of Policy at Blood Cancer UK, described the report as a wake-up call for all involved in UK clinical research. She emphasized the urgent need to allow patients, especially those with life-threatening conditions like blood cancer, to access trials that could save or extend their lives. Loftis urged government, industry, and the NHS to collaborate on speeding up trial start-ups, increasing recruitment goals, and addressing barriers for underrepresented groups.

Despite recruitment challenges, the number of new industry trials launched in the UK in 2024 rose by 36% compared to 2023, moving the country to sixth globally for Phase III trial initiations, up from eighth place the previous year. Other nations, including China and Spain, are showing stronger competition, with Spain now leading in clinical trial placements in Europe.

Dr. Janet Valentine, ABPIs Executive Director of Research and Innovation Policy, stated that while the growth in trial numbers is positive, the low patient enrollment limits UK patients access to innovative treatments, particularly where alternatives are unavailable.

The ABPI recommends raising recruitment targets at research sites, accelerating trial start-ups, implementing executive-level accountability across the NHS, and maximizing opportunities through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) clinical trials investment program, which received a substantial funding boost in August 2024. The VPAG program is under close review following a UK-US deal on 1 December, which removed tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and could affect the programs operations.

Source: Originally published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData brand.

Author: Sophia Brooks