FPM reacts to the UK COVID Inquiry Module 4 report and recommendations
Posted on: Friday 17 April 2026
Author: FPM
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine reacts to the UK COVID Inquiry - Module 4 - Vaccines and Therapeutics – report and recommendations
The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FPM) welcomes the publication of the report for Module 4: Vaccines and Therapeutics of the UK COVID Inquiry. The report, along with key recommendations can be found on the inquiry website here.
The report outlines the overall success of the programmes for development and deployment of vaccines and therapeutics. This was due, in large part, to a very strong existing biomedical science base. It is estimated that the success of the vaccination programme saved 475,000 lives in England and Scotland during the course of the pandemic. However, FPM agrees with the inquiry’s assessment that in order to be prepared for future pandemics, it is vital that investment in life sciences is maintained.
Where the report is more critical is in areas of access and equality, points that were strongly made by FPM to the inquiry. Vaccine uptake was lower in communities with greater levels of deprivation and in some ethnic minority groups. The Inquiry found that these disparities were predictable and must be addressed before the next pandemic.
FPM supports all five of the main recommendations of the report, especially those to:
- Establish a pharmaceutical expert advisory panel to oversee the UK’s preparedness to develop, procure and manufacture pharmaceuticals (vaccines and therapeutics)
- Produce targeted vaccination strategies and communications in order to increase vaccine uptake and reduce inequalities
FPM is ready to work with Government and other stakeholders to support implementation of the recommendations of the report.
This report shines a spotlight on the remarkable progress that can be achieved when kind, compassionate and clever people work together to achieve what many thought was impossible. However, we know that this is not the end, and in many ways there is still much work to be done, to help those still affected and to prepare for the next pandemic. FPM stands ready to lead and support those efforts.
Notes for editors
The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FPM) was active in very many ways during the COVID pandemic – supporting our members as they pursed R&D at lightning pace, engaging with and advising Government and regulators, and providing information and education to professionals, the public and the press and media. Therefore, when the time came for the COVID Inquiry to set out its terms of reference, FPM stood ready to engage. In October 2024 we submitted a statement to module 4 of the inquiry, outlining our and our members’ experiences and making recommendations for the future. We are grateful to Baroness Hallett and the inquiry team for their receptiveness and engagement during this process.