Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration has been given to the role of the generic and biosimilar medicines sector in shaping life sciences policy, in the context of it supplying around 85% of NHS prescription drugs by volume.

The United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector is central to our Industrial Strategy, driving growth, investment, and high-quality jobs. As set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which we developed while working closely with the sector, there is an opportunity for the National Health Service to save £1 billion over five years through biosimilars uptake, delivering value for patients and the NHS. The Life Sciences Council is an important forum that brings together senior industry and Government leaders to shape the sector’s future. The Government remains committed to this partnership and is looking to convene the council in due course.

Medicines UK and its members are represented on the Single National Formulary Industry Task and Finish Group. In addition, the Government is working to convene further task and finish groups to drive forward defined areas of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, including in the generic and biosimilars space. These groups will direct focused ministerial and official attention toward a clear set of priorities and will work closely with industry to deliver tangible progress within a set timeframe.