Negotiations between the Government, NHS England and the pharmaceutical industry for a successor to the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines, Pricing and Access (VPAS) will begin today.
- Negotiations between the government, the NHS England and the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries (ABPI) began today on a new voluntary scheme for pricing branded medicines.
- Parties are negotiating agreements to support better patient outcomes, healthier populations and a financially sustainable NHS while supporting economic growth
- The new voluntary scheme will come into effect from 1 January 2024 to replace the current scheme which expires on 31 December 2023.
For more than 65 years, the government and the pharmaceutical industry have worked together to help manage the affordability of medicines for the NHS, ensure that new medicines are available and uptake quickly for patients, while empowering the UK life sciences sector. We have been able to support and continue to provide. new innovations and economic growth.
At the first meeting, government, NHS England and industry (represented by ABPI) shared a common commitment to work towards a mutually beneficial agreement that supports better patient outcomes, healthier populations and a financially sustainable NHS. You are expected to agree on bargaining goals. British economic growth.
Successful negotiations will be determined by securing new voluntary schemes such as:
Promote better patient outcomes and healthier populations by:
- UK brings new medicines to market by giving NHS patients faster access to new clinical and cost-effective medicines through streamlined approvals and better commercial and financing arrangements that reward innovation become an internationally competitive place for
- Addressing undue variability in national approved drug use and patient access
- Encourage the development of innovative and cost-effective medicines
Supporting UK economic growth by:
- Supporting the UK life sciences industry and driving economic growth, especially through investment in R&D and clinical research
- Ensuring the commercial environment for branded drug suppliers to the NHS helps make the UK an internationally competitive investment destination
- Bring net benefits to the UK economy as a whole
Contribute to a financially sustainable NHS by:
- Keeping prices of branded medicines affordable for the NHS
- Helping the NHS and industry develop sustainable financial and investment strategies
- It delivers value to taxpayers and the NHS by providing safe and effective medicines at reasonable prices and promoting efficient competition in the medicine supply.
Health Minister Will Quince said:: “With these negotiations, the new scheme will provide significant savings to our health services and ensure access to innovative life-saving medicines for NHS patients, one of the prime minister’s five priorities. By helping reduce wait times, we ensure that we continue to offer value for money.
“The current voluntary scheme will support investment in NHS services and save billions of pounds for the NHS, while fostering innovation and a successful life sciences sector.
“It is very important that the successors to the current scheme serve taxpayers, patients, the NHS and life sciences.”
ABPI CEO Richard Torbett said: “These negotiations provide an opportunity to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in life sciences research and medical innovation, while ensuring the best possible outcome for UK patients and a thriving economy.
“Together we can boost UK science and create the conditions for innovative medicines to unlock their true value as an investment in the health, wealth and productivity of the country.”
Sir Hugh Taylor, who chaired the Accelerated Access Review in 2014 and introduced innovative technologies to the NHS, was appointed as the lead negotiating adviser to the VPAS scheme last month.
Sir Hugh Taylor said: “Future voluntary schemes must continue to benefit the NHS and provide patients access to the best medicines, while supporting the life sciences sector.
“We look forward to reaching an agreement that will not only benefit the NHS but encourage the pharmaceutical sector to continue to invest in the UK.”
The current scheme, which came into effect in 2019, is scheduled to expire at the end of 2023. Negotiations are expected to conclude in the fall, ahead of the new scheme, which will start on 1 January 2024.