Merck Research Site

Baroness Browning Excerpts

Thursday 11th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. It is a point I agree with: this is about the overall economic picture as well as the health costs. It is something that we need to look at as we think about the way medicines are used in this country. I think that the macroeconomic picture is different from the simple health economics picture, and it is something that is an active part of discussion. It is something I have discussed with macroeconomists, looking at ways in which we might think about introducing that as part of the system.

[Baroness Browning (Con)]

Given the changes announced in the United States in the past year about its approach to medical research and pharmaceuticals, have the Government made any assessment of the gap that is widening in the US in terms of other countries being able to fill the gap, particularly for medical research? Is there a plan, because this is a global marketplace and unless we are quick other countries will soon take up the slack that America is creating?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

We should not be under any illusion: the US is the major powerhouse in pharmaceutical research and development and will remain that powerhouse. Despite some of the changes, there is enormous investment going into, in particular, private sector R&D in the US. However, the noble Baroness is right that there are changes in public sector funding. As I hope she will be aware, we launched a £112 million global talent scheme, with £54 million coming from the Government and the rest from the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, looking for global talent to get to the UK. We believe this is a time when we can attract global talent into our leading universities and biotech scene.