
A challenge we can no longer ignore: meeting the needs of people with Crohn’s Disease in the UK
pharmafile | August 3, 2025 | Feature | Research and Development | Crohn’s disease, Immunology, Lilly UK, autoimmune disease, immunology
By Holly Thomas, Associate Vice-President Specialty Care at Lilly UK and Ireland
Immunology care in the UK is at a critical juncture. Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease affecting at least one in every 250 people,1,2 poses increasing challenges for both patients, their families and loved ones, and the healthcare system. Despite advances in scientific research, a large proportion of patients still face persistent barriers in accessing timely and compassionate care.3 As the NHS contends with growing demand and constrained resources,4 it’s clear that immunology care must be a priority area for improvement.
I’m excited to step into the role of Business Unit Leader for Immunology and Oncology at Lilly UK and Ireland – an opportunity that builds on a diverse career across many therapeutic areas and reflects my passion for turning innovation into meaningful outcomes for patients.
My time working on Lilly’s Neuroscience commercial team deepened my belief in integrated thinking – where science, policy and executional excellence align to drive access and equity. I’m energised by the opportunity to now lead in Immunology and Oncology therapy areas.
Confronting barriers in diagnosis and treatment
At Lilly, our work in immunology in the UK focuses on addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the sector. Crohn’s disease illustrates many of these: from delayed diagnosis, often linked to limited awareness in primary care and drawn-out referral pathways, to the disheartening reality that few, if any, services across the UK currently meet the recommended standards for care or staffing in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).5 Alarming reports show that no IBD service in the UK currently meets the national standards for care or staffing.6 This means patients are being let down by a system that is not equipped to deliver the support they urgently need.
Despite its scale and severity, Crohn’s disease often remains under-recognised and under-prioritised within the wider healthcare conversation. The exact causes triggering the occurrence of Crohn’s disease are not clearly defined, but it is suspected that several factors – either individually or in combination – play a role, including:
- Environmental factors, such as air pollution and taking some types of antibiotics 7
- Genes 8
- Smoking 6
- Immune system defects. 7
The physical symptoms of Crohn’s disease include diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in poo, tiredness and weight loss.7 Symptoms can vary widely in severity, ranging from mild to intense, and typically follow a cyclical pattern of flare-ups and remissions.7 As well as these primary signs, people may also experience related issues in other parts of the body, such as joint pain, sore eyes and skin rashes.7
One often-overlooked symptom of Crohn’s disease is bowel urgency – the sudden, intense need to find a toilet immediately. For many, this is a daily struggle that can be emotionally draining and socially isolating, severely limiting independence.9 Despite its impact, bowel urgency is frequently under-recognised in clinical care.10
Even after diagnosis, the journey is rarely straightforward. Crohn’s disease is complex and unpredictable; some patients may not respond to initial treatments, while others can lose response over time.11 This leaves these patients living in a cycle of flare-ups,12 uncertainty and often invasive interventions.13
Closing the science-access gap
Although we have seen scientific progress in immunology, a disconnect remains between innovation and patient access.2 This is not just a clinical problem – it’s a human one. At Lilly, we believe the UK must address this imbalance by championing equitable access to therapies.3 Our goal is to bridge the gap between medical advancement and patient experience – working to ensure that every individual living with an immune system-related condition has access to the tools they need to live well with their conditions.
This gap between what science has made possible and what patients can access is deeply concerning. The last decade brought meaningful advances in our understanding of immune system-related conditions and the evolving methods of care. But these advancements mean little if they remain out of reach; it’s a disconnect that must be addressed.
The unmet need is undeniable, but so is the potential for progress. I strongly believe that focus needs to be placed on working handinhand with healthcare professionals, policymakers and patients to close the gap between science and lived experience – so that people with immune system-related diseases can live better lives.
A commitment to compassionate, timely care
Looking ahead, our commitment remains steadfast: to improve outcomes for patients with Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune disorders in the UK. We envision a future where diagnosis is prompt, care is coordinated and appropriate treatments are personalised and more widely accessible.
I urge all of us to do our part in prioritising those living with autoimmune diseases, and as I jump into this new position head first, I will make this my ultimate aim.
References
1 King D, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2020;51:920-934.
2 Wang L, et al. Journal of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.12395
3 IBD UK. Crohn’s and Colitis Care in the UK. Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/k01ojh41/ibd-national-report.pdf [Accessed 16 July 2025].
4 UK Parliament. House of Commons Library. Capacity pressure in Health and social care in England. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/capacity-pressures-in-health-and-social-care-in-england/?utm_
[Accessed 16 July 2025].
5 NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands. Understanding diagnostic delays in Crohn’s and Colitis.
Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/connwcrk/understanding-diagnostic-delays-in- crohns-and-colitis-executive-summary.pdf?utm_ [Accessed 16 July 2025].
6 IBD UK. The State of IBD Care in the UK. Available at: https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/sr-crohns- craft/images/IBD-UK-National-Report_7OCT_v9_WITH-HYPERLINKS_compressed.pdf [Accessed 16 July 2025].
7 Vedamurthy A, et al. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;15:72-82.
8 NHS. Crohn’s Disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease/#:~:text=Crohn%27s%20disease%20is%20a%20lifelong,symptoms%20such%20as%20stomac%20h%20pain [Accessed 16 July 2025].
9 Gibble TH, et al. J Patient Rep Outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-024-00800-1
10 David Rubin, et al. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izae282.150
11 Konstantinos Papamichael PhD MD and Adam S Cheifetz MD. 2020. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biologics in the Treatment of IBD. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/clinical-pearls/therapeutic-drug-monitoring-biologics-ibd?utm_ [Accessed 16 July 2025].
12 Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Flare-ups. Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/symptoms/flare-ups [Accessed 16 July 2025].
13 Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Surgery for Crohn’s Disease. Available at: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/surgery-and-complications/surgery-for-crohns-disease#:~:text=bowel%20cancer%20risk.-,Severe%20complications,symptoms%20and%20risk%20of%20perforation [Accessed 16 July 2025].
PP-MG-GB-0765 July 2025

This article featured in: August 2025 – The Pharmafile Brief
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