UK-US pharmaceutical deal requires close monitoring

The new UK-US pharmaceutical deal marks a major shift in the UK’s approach to evaluating, pricing, and adopting new medicines.1 Faster access to innovative treatments for conditions such as cancer will be welcomed by patients, clinicians, and researchers. Increased spending on drugs may also enhance the UK’s attractiveness for clinical research and stimulate further investment from the life sciences industry.But the overall effect of these proposals will depend heavily on how they are implemented. Raising the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)’s cost effectiveness thresholds will increase total NHS spending on medicines. Without protection of funding for workforce, diagnostic services, primary care, and other essential services, there is a risk that higher drug budgets could divert resources from areas already under considerable strain. A more flexible pricing environment may also weaken the UK’s future negotiating leverage with industry. Preserving NICE’s independence will therefore be critical to maintaining public…