The UK's Blueprint for the Life Sciences Sector from July 2025 aims to restore the country's position as a global leader in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. In 2017, the UK was the second largest recipient of foreign direct investment in the life sciences, but will drop to eighth place by 2023, although R&D investment in the pharmaceutical sector remains the highest[1][2][3]. In 2023, foreign investment in life sciences has fallen by 58% and investment in pharmaceutical research has fallen by almost £100m[2]. Some major investments, such as Merck's £1 billion research centre, were cancelled, with Merck citing insufficient government investment and low prices for new drugs as reasons[2]. However, the government has taken measures to support the sector, including investment in health data, genomics and innovation in the NHS, to create a more enabling environment for research, development and investment[1]. High clawback rates and slow roll-out of clinical trials, which saw a 25% drop in UK patient recruitment in 2024-2025, remain a challenge[2][4]. A deal between the UK and the US on pharmaceutical exports secured zero duties for three years in return for an increase in NHS spending limits on new medicines, which could increase the availability of expensive treatments[4].