UnpressAI | uk/en

02 Jul 2026, 15:18

Using these drugs could save lives, says BMJ

  • BMJ says that using these drugs could prevent 229,000 deaths through overdosing in the UK
  • The drug is expected to reduce the risk of death from heart disease and other causes for people in the UK by 19% by 2029
  • Prognosis: the number of patients with the disease is expected to increase significantly over the next few years

In a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), researchers claim that using drugs could prevent 229,000 deaths in the UK as a result of the NHS.

UK Velia Britain’s Minister for Science Patrick Vallance said that the NHS has a plan to deliver life-changing new medicines, and that the UK’s life sciences sector will provide the drug industry with the necessary support for the US.

However, the UK’s government has announced that it will increase the NHS budget by 0.3% in 2026 and by 0.6% in 2036. This means that the NHS will be able to cover the costs of new drugs by 10% to 12%.

The study also notes that the UK’s government is expected to spend up to 1.3 billion pounds annually on drugs, which could rise to 8.8 billion pounds by 2036. According to the report, the total cost of the NHS could reach 44.7 billion pounds by the end of 2036.

However, the study highlights that the UK’s government may not be able to cover the costs of new drugs, which could affect the health of patients. In particular, the study suggests that the number of deaths could increase by 291,000.

According to the authors, the biggest impact would be on patients with severe conditions, and the government should consider the financial implications for the NHS.

Tags: Well-being/Research/Europe

Articles on this topic:

  • www.aljazeera.com - An extra 229,000 deaths: Is that the cost of US-UK drugs deal?
  • edition.cnn.com - UK-US pharma deal could lead to nearly 230,000 unnecessary deaths in England, analysis says