UK Pharma welcomes some Budget moves

The extra L10.0 million ($20.2 million) spending on science in schools, announced by UK Chancellor Alistair Darling in his Budget, has been welcomed by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

The ABPI added that it was also pleased to note the Chancellor's emphasis on developing new strengths in industries of the future, in which he especially commented on the fact that the pharmaceutical industry accounted for a quarter of the UK's R&D investment.

Philip Wright, ABPI director of science and technology, said: "the UK-based pharmaceutical industry has a long and successful track record of developing new, innovative medicines. If the country is to retain this success - and the L3.9 billion a year spent on R&D in the UK - we must be able to compete on skills, both in terms of core capabilities and specific disciplines."