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Facts, figures and industry data

The Pharmaceutical Industry in the UK

£40.bn Turnover
Turnover [1]
R and D Investment [3]
R and D Investment [3]
Gross fixed capital formation
Gross fixed capital formation
Export Value
Export Value
Import Value
Import Value
Gross Value Added (GVA)
Gross Value Added (GVA)
66,000 jobs in 2020
People employed by the pharmaceutical sector in 2020 [4]
Average annual salary
Average annual salary
Commercial Covid-19 trials started in the UK in 2020
Commercial Covid-19 trials started in the UK in 2020

References:

1. Bioscience and health technology sector statistics 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/bioscience-and-health-technology-sector-statistics-2020/bioscience-and-health-technology-sector-statistics-2020

2. Business enterprise research and development, UK: 2019 https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/researchanddevelopmentexpenditure/bulletins/businessenterpriseresearchanddevelopment/2019

3.Business enterprise research and development, UK: 2020 https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/researchanddevelopmentexpenditure/bulletins/businessenterpriseresearchanddevelopment/2020

4. Bioscience and health technology sector statistics 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/bioscience-and-health-technology-sector-statistics-2020/bioscience-and-health-technology-sector-statistics-2020

Industry data

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop, with a microscope in the background, being reflected on the screen

title-strip icon UK pharmaceutical market

The pharmaceutical industry is an important sector in the UK. The tables below show some key data on the UK expenditure on medicines, as well as UK jobs in the industry and the industry's contribution to the UK economy.

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title-strip icon Global pharmaceutical market

Medicines and vaccines have helped deliver incredible improvements in health. This section look at how the UK compare with global trends in health and pharmaceuticals.

 Doctor sat in in their surgery talking with a patient

title-strip icon Clinical trials

Medicines and vaccines have helped deliver incredible improvements in patient health. This section looks at expenditure on R&D in the UK and around the world, clinical trials by phase and by therapy area and research intensity.

 Close-up of the face of a scientist close to her microscope

title-strip icon Cancer in the UK - Digital Data Toolkit

Cancer survival in the UK has improved over recent years, with more people living five years or more with the disease than ever before. However, despite this progress, cancer remains one of the UK’s leading causes of death. More can be done to improve cancer outcomes for those affected. By looking at how the UK compares to other European countries, we can begin to consider how this can be achieved.
Three young scientists are working with chemicals inside a chemical fume hood

title-strip icon Industry and academia links survey 2019

Since 2003, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has gathered information biennially from member companies on their links with academia and the NHS. Links between academia and the NHS can be grouped by areas or by career development path.

 Medicine Discovery Facts 871X581

title-strip icon Medicine discovery - facts and figures

Medicines bring huge value to NHS patients. The development of new medicines is uncertain, costly, and involves significant rates of failure. The pharmaceutical industry spends $160 billion per year on research and development.