Economic disaster may prevent drug research

The current financial crisis is threatening to engulf the UK's healthcare system, according to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and recent announcements from leading charities. According to the research and training agency, the economic climate had precipitated a drying-up of funding in biotechnology. Concurrently, Cancer Research UK is predicting a 5% fall, totalling £15m, in donations. Harpal Kumar, chief executive of the charity, said the outlook was very challenging but that it would not deter them from achieving their long-term goals. The news was reported as NHS u...