GSK in dialogue to strengthen private-public pricing relations

Healthcare giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it is “open to dialogue” regarding measures to strengthen the relations between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry.

Following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) into the Pharmaceutical Price and Regulation Scheme (PPRS), the global company suggests it is in the interests of both parties to produce medicines which offer value for money treatments to NHS patients.

In addition, the firm asserts that the PPRS has facilitated the introduction of new treatments by supporting a long-term approach to research and development projects through its provision of a stable framework.

“GSK is open to dialogue about how to improve patient access to innovative new medicines and how to enhance the system for medicines pricing in the UK,” states the enterprise, which has offices and research facilities across the globe.

However, GSK notes that there is room for improvement within the current framework, especially regarding the scheme’s recognition of the predicted value of new treatments in comparison to existing ones.

The company also urges that any alterations to PPRS must be practical and “evolutionary in nature”.

Released this week, the study from the OFT claimed that reforms of the current pricing system could save the NHS in excess of ?500 million.