Branded Pharma And Generics Industries At Odds Over UK VPAG Framework

The UK branded drug industry is calling for adjustments to be made to the UK voluntary scheme framework for branded medicines, after the payment rate increased to 22.9% for 2025. Meanwhile, the generics industry says the scheme is functioning “as intended” and opposes any changes.

The UK branded drug and generics industries have different views on rebate rates under the VPAG scheme (Shutterstock)

The UK’s originator drugs and generics industries are at odds over a rise in the clawbacks that companies must pay the government on the sales of branded medicines to the National Health Service under the UK voluntary scheme.

More from Government Payers

Newest HHS Staff Cuts Could Stymie CMS Health Plan Oversight

 
• By 

A former CMS manager worries casework and other necessary functions could suffer as a result of the 300 staff cuts at the agency that are part of a massive HHS restructuring.

Power Play: US FDA Likely Losing More Than Just Staff With Restructured Health Department

 

About 3,500 full-time FDA employees are expected to be laid off as part of a restructuring of the Health and Human Services Department and experts questioned whether the cuts could be implemented without harming FDA’s core mission.

Think Tank Suggests CMS, USTR Could Enforce Most Favored Nation, Other Drug Pricing Policies

 
• By 

A Republican think tank suggested variations of the Most Favored Nation and international reference policies in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as tariffs and other trade levers to rebalance drug pricing disparities between US countries and abroad.

CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
• By 

Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

More from Market Access

Gene Therapy ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ – Why Companies Need To Understand Health Systems

 

Cell and gene therapy manufacturers must consider the practicalities of their product within the context of a health care system before it comes onto the market to be successful, experts from Novartis, AstraZeneca and England’s National Health Service say.

CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
• By 

Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

Study Shows ‘Insurer-PBMs’ Dominate Medicare Part D, Steer Patients to Their Pharmacies

 
• By 

An analysis of Medicare Part D and other data found that more than one-third of all pharmacy spending went through pharmacies owned by Cigna, CVS Health, Humana or UnitedHealth Group.