Calls for UK Government to Control Medicine Prices

Suraj Shah, manager of reimbursement for the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), expressed that the Department of Health and Social Care should increase its use of the legal authority it acquired years ago. He said that “with the supply situation as it is, DHSC should be supporting pharmacies in keeping medicine prices at appropriate levels, saving money for the NHS.”

Although laws granting the government the ability to determine price controls and request evidence from producers and suppliers regarding expenses were brought in during 2018, this has not been exercised.

According to Mr. Shah, contractors are being backed into a corner, having to split time both locating medications and coping with cash flow difficulties due to price increases and supply problems.

In addition to business expenses and workload demands, price and supply issues are causing a “desperate situation” for all contractors as a result of the continued effects of Brexit and Covid 19.

Even though the negotiator “works hard to push for a price that we feel is appropriate for contractors,” there are an increasing quantity of situations when price negotiations are not possible, forcing the government to “impose” reduced pricing structured.

“PSNC is also seeking recognition, and mitigation, of the impact the uncertainty of reimbursement prices is having on pharmacy teams. Community pharmacies need to be funded fairly for the time and effort that goes into making sure patients can access medicines in a timely manner.”

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