UK officials working night and day to resolve NHS drug pricing row'

"Recent headlines have not always been favourable, and we are acutely aware of the pressures that companies face in the current commercial environment here in the UK, he said. Many of us are working day and night right the way across government to make progress on these issues. And rest assured that we are laser focused on getting that resolved."

"Ministers are working on proposals to raise the cost-effectiveness thresholds at which new medicines are assessed for use in the NHS by about 25% overall. The UK spends less than other European countries on new medications as a share of gross domestic product. The government is trying to rebuild its relationship with big pharma, after negotiations over drug pricing broke down in late August following an ultimatum set by the health secretary, Wes Streeting."

Officials are working day and night to resolve a standoff with major pharmaceutical companies over drug pricing. Ministers are developing proposals to raise the cost-effectiveness thresholds used to assess new medicines for NHS use by about 25% overall. The UK spends less than other European countries on new medications as a share of GDP. Negotiations broke down after a late-August ultimatum from the health secretary, prompting MSD, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly to abandon or pause planned UK investments. US political pressure to lower US drug prices and push investment to the US has complicated talks. Recent investments include projects by Moderna, BioNTech and Convatec.

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