Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 2019 Voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access, what plans NHS England has to consult patient organisations on the new commercial framework which is being developed.

NHS England, together with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, is developing a ’commercial framework’ setting out the parameters for the commercial approach for medicines in the health service in England. This framework will be tested with and informed through consultation with stakeholders. In preparation for public consultation in the coming months, NHS England is actively engaging with industry trade bodies and health system partners, in the first instance, to progress the development of the commercial framework, as set out in the 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.