Millions of patients will access innovative treatments up to six months earlier thanks to a new medicine deal
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new medicines deal that comes into force in January will help cut £930 million a year from the NHS drugs bill
MILLIONS of patients will access cutting-edge treatments up to six months earlier under an innovative new medicines deal.
Matt Hancock said it will also help cut £930 million a year from the NHS drugs bill.
The Health Secretary hailed the new deal with pharma industry as “good for patients”.
Under the agreement, there will be a cap on how much drug firms get paid by the NHS for branded treatments – with any additional spending refunded.
In exchange, officials have promised to fast-track new medicines and carry out more early appraisals than ever before.
The NHS as a whole spends £11.5 billion a year on branded drugs.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This new deal will be good for patients, good for the NHS and good for the UK life sciences industry.
“Cutting-edge and best value medicines will be fast-tracked and we will cut our medicines bill by £930 million next year following tough but constructive negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry – money we can redeploy into better NHS services.”
The voluntary scheme comes into force in January.
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Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, said: “Patients and taxpayers deserve access to the best medicines at fair prices, and this deal will help us deliver both.
“As the UK’s position on Brexit is finalised, it is pleasing to be able to provide multiyear certainty to both the NHS and the life sciences sector.”
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