Duchenne UK statement on VPAS
Emily Reuben calls on the Department for Health and Social Care to reconsider the new VPAS payment rate, to ensure the UK's life science industry can thrive.
Today a report commissioned by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has been published. The report evaluates the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) payment rate – the clawback payments companies pay to the Government for any branded medicine sales above a pre-agreed collective limit.
The new payment rate for 2023 of 26.5% – which was 5.1% in 2015 – has caused huge pushback from industry.
The report argues that unless the Government takes action to reduce the payment rate, the UK stands to lose £1.9bn investment in UK research and development spending (R&D) in 2028, with a cumulative £5.7bn of R&D investment lost between 2024-28.
Emily Reuben, CEO and co-founder for Duchenne UK, said,
“As a patient-led charity trying to a cure a cruel rare disease, we want the UK to be the best place in the world for bringing exciting and new medicines to those who need them.
“But we are worried the Government is not doing enough to make the UK attractive to the companies who research, develop and manufacturer these treatments – despite the impressive life sciences industry already here.
“This report lays out how a punitive payment rate could push R&D away from the UK. We are calling on the DHSC to heed its warnings and reconsider their payment rate increase, to ensure that British patients aren’t at the back of the queue for new medicines.”
You can read the full report on the ABPI’s website here.