Insight

What’s hot in health – a prediction for 2022

Just over two weeks into 2022 and it seems that once again, health will be one of the Government's top priorities. From the lingering impacts of COVID-19, to the opportunities for the MHRA to revolutionise the way we approve medicines in the UK, health officials will certainly be kept busy this year.

COVID-19

As with 2020 and 2021, the main story dominating the news will undoubtedly be COVID-19. The emergence of Omnicron as a milder variant has given us some hope that the UK will soon be able to return to pre-pandemic levels of normality, however there will still be constant debate and division on the role of Government to be imposing restrictions to protect the country’s most vulnerable. The former chairman of the UK’s vaccine taskforce, Dr Clive Dix, stated that COVID-19 should be treated as an endemic similar to flu, and while infections remain high, deaths from COVID-19 remain lower than at other peaks in the pandemic. Many patient organisations however are still campaigning for greater protection of patients, some of whom will still be limiting their contact with the outside world as much as possible. It will be a difficult balancing act for the Government to appease backbenchers who continue to advocate against COVID-19 controls, and the concerns that the NHS will be continue to be overwhelmed. With Boris Johnson’s position becoming more tenuous by the day, it’s unlikely that any further restriction will be implemented.

“NHS bosses will have to ensure they find innovative methods of reducing appointment times while ensuring quality of care is not compromised .”

NHS backlog

In addition to the number of beds available and the pressures from COVID-19, one of many challenges for the NHS will be clearing the backlog of patients who have had treatments cancelled due to the pandemic. At various points of the last two years, this number has been quoted to be between eight and 15 million, so NHS bosses will have to ensure they find innovative methods of reducing appointment times while ensuring quality of care is not compromised. Omnicron delayed the release of the elective recovery plan, so it shouldn’t be long before we see how the Government intends to assist the NHS in this recovery. It’s important to note than innovation in the NHS exists, particularly in areas where digital solutions are resolving some of the NHS’ most serious areas of backlog, and a true test of leadership will be ensuring these local pockets of innovation are brought nationwide, particularly as areas of inefficiencies exist.

Northern Ireland

Another area where leadership will be essential to ensure equity of access to treatment is Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Protocol allows lorries to deliver goods without having them, or paperwork, checked when they cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland. However, now that Northern Ireland (as part of the UK) has left the European Union, this becomes confusing. It is unclear how strict rules on goods can be maintained if there is effectively no border between an EU and non-EU state. The continued back and forward of uncertainty is leaving patients in Northern Ireland concerned as to whether they will be able to continue their treatments as normal. While continuation of medication has been assured, this does not take into account that certain brands or types may be unavailable. This is particularly poignant in areas such as kidney treatments, where even the slightest alteration to care can cause severe reactions. Patients will be looking to the Government to make assurances that going forward into the New Year, treatments will be available where they live.

“Using vaccines as a model for how the new system could work, there is a real opportunity for Government and industry alike to harness the enthusiasm for an innovative system which can rewrite the rules of approving medicines.”

Opportunities for the MHRA

Following the UK’s departure from the EU, Ministers have been keen to promote the world-leading abilities of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the ability for the UK to approve medicines and medical devices. Since then, the pharmaceutical industry has been to take advantage of the fact the MHRA is now an independent regulator. Using vaccines as a model for how the new system could work, there is a real opportunity for Government and industry alike to harness the enthusiasm for an innovative system which can rewrite the rules of approving medicines. To ensure that the UK remains a hub for investment in medicines despite the split from the EU, the Government will have to work to ensure that the organisation works efficiently and effectively, despite the many challenges it will face.

“Companies looking to invest will also be keen to work on preventing the next pandemic and it’s essential is it also the focus of Government.”

Preparation for future pandemics

During the launch of the Life Sciences Vision, the Prime Minister spoke about harnessing the power of the Vaccines Taskforce and turning the UK into a ‘science superpower’. To do so, it’s imperative that companies have confidence to invest in the UK. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has been at the forefront of vaccine production, and no doubt this work will continue. Companies looking to invest will also be keen to work on preventing the next pandemic and it’s essential is it also the focus of Government. The severity of COVID-19 was undoubtedly impacted by the predictions of a flu pandemic affecting Government preparation and response. As such, expanding this to other forms of pandemics, and learning lessons from COVID-19 should be one of the Government’s priorities. This will give the life sciences sector a must needed boost regarding any uncertainty about post-COVID funding in the sector.