BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

US Health Reform: Beware of Side Effects!

Documentaries

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Factual: Politics

11/10/2009

BBC Radio 4 - US Health Reform: Beware of Side Effects!

Justin Webb examines the possible effects on the UK of healthcare reform in America.

Justin Webb asks if we should all be worried that healthcare reform in America may impact on the sorts of drugs and technologies that NHS patients have access to.

America is the world leader in medical innovation, and many advances in medicine have been instrumental in helping Americans and people all over the world to live longer and healthier lives. So should we be worried in the UK that healthcare reform in America may impact on the sorts of drugs and technologies that NHS patients have access to? 

In 2008, the US pharmaceutical industry spent 65 billion dollars on research and development, and they have made it clear that 'reform must protect the US's lead in medical innovation'. 

Justin Webb investigates whether all that money, prohibitively expensive drugs and cutting-edge technology translates to better healthcare and asks if cuts can been made without stifling innovation.

He talks to those who are involved in making the decisions and those who will be affected by them when the health reform bill is delivered to the president, and speaks to leading figures in the NHS to ask if American fears are well founded.

An All Out production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

US Health Reform: Beware of Side Effects!

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4