Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of waiving tax on generic versions of lifesaving cystic fibrosis drugs entering the UK from Argentina on the (a) quality of life and (b) wellbeing of people with cystic fibrosis.
The Department has made no such assessment. The United Kingdom’s Government policy is that there is no VAT on drugs prescribed by a qualified professional. HM Treasury keeps all taxes under review but there are no plans to extend the zero rate to other products at this time. Our priority is to ensure that patients have access to medicines which are certified as safe and effective, and which are affordable for the National Health Service. We welcome the announcement of Orkambi.