A Battle in Government: How Infighting is Costing the UK Its Pharma Edge

Internal government conflict is costing the UK its competitive edge in the life sciences, a senior pharmaceutical executive has claimed. Sanofi’s Paul Naish described a “battle happening within government” where the Department of Health struggles to make its case to a reluctant Treasury, resulting in policy paralysis that is driving investors away.
This departmental infighting is seen as a key reason for the lack of a coherent roadmap for the sector. While business and science officials are “sympathetic,” they are ultimately ineffective, leading to a frustrating climate of “hand-wringing” instead of decisive action.
The real-world impact of this political deadlock is severe. It has contributed to MSD’s decision to scrap its £1bn London research hub and Eli Lilly’s move to pause a similar project. For its part, Sanofi has halved its clinical trials in the country and is holding back on new investments.
The industry’s message is that this internal disarray must end. They are calling for the Treasury to sit down with other departments and forge a “proper plan” to raise spending and modernize policies. Without a unified government front, the UK’s reputation as a top destination for pharmaceutical innovation will continue to erode.