Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, is she will make an assessment of the potential impact of a UK-India free trade agreement on (a) the production of low-cost generics medicines in India and (b) the availability of those drugs to (i) the National Health Service and (ii) developing countries.

The UK’s approach to Free Trade Agreements is to provide a balanced regime incentivising investment in the research and development necessary to develop new medicines to tackle existing and future health challenges, whilst also ensuring that medicines remain affordable for those who need them.

The government has been clear that it will never agree any provisions that would increase the cost of medicines for our National Health Service. Britain’s trade negotiations with India will not impact on the UK’s access to affordable medicines.

The UK are seeking provisions which achieve an effective balance between rewarding research and innovation, and protecting wider public interests such as ensuring access to medicines.