Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth

Monday 20th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Victoria Atkins)]

I am pleased to inform Parliament that agreement has been reached on a Heads of Agreement for the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG). This is an agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care—representing the UK Government, the Governments of Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Department of Health—NHS England and the pharmaceutical industry, represented by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

This is an important milestone in the agreement of a new scheme. Once the Heads of Agreement has been formalised in a full scheme document, the 2024 VPAG will operate for five years starting from 1 January 2024, when the current scheme ends.

The 2024 VPAG stands to deliver savings to the NHS across the next five years, rapid patient access to new clinically and cost-effective medicines, and a sustainable approach to medicines provision.

The proposals also demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting a strong UK life sciences industry to drive economic growth, including through the establishment of a £400 million fund to support investment in the UK life sciences ecosystem, including improved clinical trial capacity.

[HCWS52]