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Reaction to the establishment of the UK Health Security Agency

Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA), said: "We welcome the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock's formal establishment of the UK Health Security Agency and today's call for evidence on its precise role. While we are still in the pandemic, we are already learning the lessons from Covid-19. And we need to be prepared for future infectious diseases. Our industry – in partnership with the rest of the supply chain and the NHS – has responded well during the pandemic, ensuring hospitals and patients received their medicines.

"However, improvements can be made to enhance the resilience of our medicines supply. For example, establishing a buffer stock across critical drugs is necessary but not sufficient. We need additional measures."

"These measures include using medicines regulation to promote resilience of supply. Crucially, we need a hospital procurement system that incentivises good supply performance. Additionally, while it is right to think about the role that greater UK manufacturing can play, we must avoid distorting successful domestic supply. And even if we produce or package the final product in the UK, we mustn't lose sight of the reality that supply chains are global to ensure economies of scale."

“We look forward to engaging with the UK Health Security Agency, starting by responding to its call for evidence on the Agency's approach and focus."