THE NHS faces paying billions of pounds more for medicines as it comes under pressure from manufacturers and Donald Trump.
The US President wants companies to stop charging Americans more to cut prices abroad, and pharmaceutical firms say they struggle to make money in Britain.
The NHS faces paying billions more for medicines as it comes under pressure from manufacturers and Donald Trump[/caption]
Ministers are now in “advanced discussions” about the NHS’ budget rules.
They could raise the value-for-money threshold applied by spending watchdog NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
It would allow doctors to buy more expensive new medicines but also raise the cost of existing drugs.
It is not clear how price increases would be paid for, and the move will spook health chiefs who are already making swingeing cuts to try and keep the NHS in the black.
The health service currently spends about £20billion per year on drugs – 10 per cent of its £200bn budget.
The Liberal Democrats said: “Ministers must come clean about how much this move will cost and whether it will be funded by cuts elsewhere in the NHS.”
Dr Dan Howdon, from the University of Leeds, added: “Research strongly suggests that the cost-effectiveness threshold is already set too high.
“Pressures in favour of an increase are not motivated by a concern for the health of the nation.”
It comes as the National Pharmacy Association reported that the Government receives 28 warnings per week about medicine supply problems.
Chairman Olivier Picard said: “It’s well known that the NHS pays significantly less for its medicines than other comparative countries.
“This can make the UK more vulnerable to medicine supply problems as we’re competing in a global marketplace.
“We hope this move could make it easier for pharmacies to deal with the consequences of supply shortages.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We’ve committed to working with industry to accelerate growth in spending on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.
“We’re now in advanced discussions with the US administration to secure the best outcome for the UK.”
The US President wants companies to stop charging Americans more to cut prices abroad, and pharmaceutical firms say they struggle to make money in Britain[/caption]
