Number of UK clinical trials in decline since Brexit vote

Ongoing uncertainty and concern about Brexit have already cut the number of clinical trials carried out in the UK. The number of drug trials started in Britain in 2017 was a staggering 25% lower than the average for 2009-2016. A Fitch analysis showed that 597 trials were initiated in Britain in 2017, against an average of 806 over the previous eight years. The referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EU was held in 2016 and despite two years of wrangling between and within political parties, no clarity over what Brexit means in real terms has emerged. Britain is currently due to leave the EU on March 29 next year – less than six months from now.