Pharmaceutical Price Regulation

Thursday 3rd April 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health, Earl Howe, has made the following written ministerial statement:

I am pleased to announce today the publication of “Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme: 12th Report to Parliament”.

The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (PPRS) is a voluntary agreement with the pharmaceutical industry which is used to control the prices of branded medicines to the health service and limit the profits that companies can make on their health service sales. The Department published the first report on the PPRS in 1996 following a comment by the Health Committee that the

“Department of Health should introduce greater transparency into the PPRS”.

Since then, the Department has published a report to Parliament on the operation and management of the scheme most years, the last report being February 2012. This latest report includes an update on the outcomes of the 2009 scheme which terminated on 31 December 2013 and outlines the early operation of the 2014 PPRS which started on 1 January 2014. In addition, the report provides an update on progress in implementing the provisions under the 2009 scheme supporting the uptake of innovative medicines recommended by NICE, the Government’s broader support for the life sciences industry and commitment to the ongoing implementation of innovation, health and wealth.

A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.