OFT to continue PPRS analysis

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced it will continue its examination of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (PPRS).

PPRS is the system used to control branded drug prices in the NHS, with the latest announcement reflecting that the OFT has decided not to refer the situation to the Competition Commission.

“We’re very happy with the positive cooperation we’ve received from both government and industry so far and will look to maintain that as we move forward with the study,” said OFT chief executive John Fingleton.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has reacted to the latest OFT announcement positively, but has also warned the OFT that a radical change in the system could undermine the UK’s worldwide reputation for stability, something that makes it attractive for research and development.

“We? welcome any initiatives to make the UK an even more vibrant location for the global pharmaceutical industry,” said Dr Richard Barker, director general of the ABPI.

Dr Barker also said that he was “not surprised” that the OFT would want to analyse the case in further depth.

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