Government, NHS England and pharma industry begin negotiations for a new medicine pricing scheme
Negotiations for the successor to the voluntary scheme for branded medicines, pricing and access (VPAS) begins on Thursday 4th May between the government, NHS England and the pharmaceutical industry.
For over 65 years the government and the pharmaceutical industry have worked together to help manage the affordability of medicines for the NHS and ensure rapid access and uptake of new medicines for patients, while also supporting the UK’s life sciences sector so that it can continue to deliver new innovations and economic growth.
In their first meeting, the government, NHS England and industry – represented by the ABPI – are expected to agree to a shared negotiation aim of working toward a mutually beneficial agreement that supports better patient outcomes and a healthier population, a financially sustainable NHS, and UK economic growth.
The success of the negotiations will be determined through securing a new voluntary scheme that:
Promotes better patient outcomes and a healthier population, by: securing NHS patients rapid access to new clinically and cost-effective medicines, through streamlined approvals and better commercial and funding arrangements which reward innovation, so that the UK is an internationally competitive location for launching new medicines; tackling unwarranted variation in the use, and patient access to, approved medicines across the country; encouraging the development of the innovative and cost-effective medicines.
Supports UK economic growth, by: supporting the UK’s life sciences industry to help drive economic growth, particularly through its investment in research and development and clinical research; ensuring that the commercial environment for branded medicine suppliers to the NHS helps make the UK an internationally competitive place to invest; elivering a net benefit to the UK economy overall.
