ABSTRACT
The total UK pharmaceutical industry includes the UK subsidiaries of multinational overseas companies, as well as the UK parent companies themselves, which include Glaxo/Wellcome, SmithKline Beecham and Zeneca. The current avenues of research and development in the acute field include AIDS, new treatments for cancer, more effective treatments for cardiovascular and respiratory disease, treatments to arrest the complications of diabetes and extensive research into biotechnology. In 1988, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) issued its definitive policy on Good Clinical Research Practice, which has proved invaluable during discussions and negotiations building up to the publication of a European Commission directive on the same subject. Payment for participation in clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies is usually based on the fees guidance published by the British Medical Association. GPs, the community and pharmaceutical companies can mutually benefit from clinical research, and it is essential in the development of effective new medicines.
