U.K. details accelerated access scheme

In a report, the U.K. Department of Health introduced its Accelerated Access Pathway (AAP), which is designed to speed patient access to highly innovative products by up to four years. The report said former GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) CEO Andrew Witty will be chairman of the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), which will designate products for the pathway. The program will also add to NHS England's commercial powers with respect to products receiving breakthrough designation.

The report follows the U.K.'s Accelerated Access Review final report published last year and addresses industry recommendations given by John Bell in August (see BioCentury Extra, Oct. 24, 2016 & Aug. 30)...