Drug regulations need changing

The current process by which new drugs are regulated and tested is unsustainable and will lead to new medicines becoming unaffordable, according to the chairman of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). Speaking at Bupa's 'Health Debate 2009', Sir Michael Rawlings, chairman for the body, said: "If we carry on with the existing model, we won't be able to afford drugs that are developed. We know that some of these new products are completely unaffordable in respect to the increased value they give." He added: "First of all, the drug development process has been made utterly...