NHS set to save £7 billion on medicines through pricing scheme

• Apr 28, 2023

VPAS, the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access, was introduced in 2019 to keep the branded medicine bill affordable for the NHS by capping the growth of sales, while improving patient access to medicines by getting new medicines into use more quickly, and supporting our life sciences sector.

Thanks to the scheme, thousands of NHS patients have benefitted from dozens of new treatments for conditions ranging from the most common cancers, to cutting edge gene therapy for ultra-rare disorders. Through VPAS, NHS England has:

• Delivered a world-leading rollout of cystic fibrosis triple therapy, which is crucial as the prevalence of cystic fibrosis in the UK is the second highest in Europe and third globally.
• Secured first-in-Europe patient access for a number of new drugs, including a revolutionary lung cancer drug, sotorasib, and life-extending prostate cancer drug, darolutamide.
• Negotiated commercial agreements to provide three new treatments, in less than three years, for children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy - the leading genetic cause of infant mortality.
• Struck a series of national deals for HIV treatments and preventative drugs that will support England to meet an ambition to become the first country to end HIV transmissions before 2030.

Health Minister, Will Quince, said: "Not only has VPAS delivered value for money for the taxpayer and saved the NHS billions of pounds, it has also saved people’s lives by supporting cancer patients and others with life-threatening conditions to have rapid access to new, life-saving and life-extending treatments.

"The scheme is vitally important as it keeps the branded medicine bill affordable for the NHS, and ensures the UK life sciences industry can earn the money it needs to fund research and development into new and improved medicine."