AstraZeneca’s chief executive has voiced strong criticism of UK healthcare policy, citing a collapsed vaccine plant expansion near Liverpool, rejection of its breast cancer drug Enhertu, and low medicine reimbursement rates as indicators that Britain is becoming less hospitable to pharmaceutical investment.

He warned that these trends could prompt the firm to consider relocating its stock market listing to the United States unless the government shifts to treating drug development as a long-term health investment rather than a cost burden.