U.K., industry set to begin value-based pricing negotiations

The U.K.'s Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry will begin negotiations in September for the proposed value-based pricing system, according to a joint statement from the parties. The system would cover pricing for new drugs launched on or after January 1, 2014. The parties also will discuss the creation of a system similar to the existing Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) to cover pricing for the majority of drugs on the market as of Dec. 31, 2013. The statement notes a "small number" of existing medicines may be assessed under the value-based system, including those currently funded through the Cancer Drug Fund. The fund provides patients access to cancer drugs that would not otherwise be available from the NHS, including drugs appraised by NICE but not recommended based on cost-effectiveness and drugs not appraised by NICE. ...