I wrote to my MP recently about the US-UK drug deal and the implications of how much it would cost the NHS. I included the following link as part of the email (‘Inside the £64bn pharma deal that could cost more lives than Covid’):
Here is his reply:
Thank you very much for writing to me to share your concerns about the UK-US pharmaceutical deal.
I recently attended a briefing from activists who have raised concerns about this agreement – I have also met with Ministers and of course, with many of the life sciences companies who call Bracknell Forest home. While I recognise your concerns, I do feel that on balance, this is a good agreement that will support our NHS.
While we have made huge strides in recent decades in the treatment of a range of diseases, it is sadly also the case that for many of the most complex conditions, improvement has been more elusive. This is particularly true for several of the most difficult-to-treat cancers, whose prognosis has not significantly improved in the last 50 years. This is in part down to the fact that the NHS has not been able to purchase innovative but expensive treatments to tackle these conditions. Under the new agreement, some of these treatments will be available on the NHS for the first time.
A commitment to investing more in innovative medicines is an important step in building a healthier population. It is right that ministers have committed not to cut NHS budgets to fund the deal. Instead, the agreement will allow NHS patients to receive innovative treatments faster, extending lives and giving families more precious time together, whilst safeguarding our medicines supply chain and driving crucial investment.
This deal will also encourage pharmaceutical companies from around the world to continue to prioritise the UK for early launches of their new medicines, meaning British patients could be among the first globally to access breakthrough treatments. Investing in new medicines also plays an important role in keeping people healthier for longer, reducing pressure on the health service over the longer term and ensuring the NHS is fit for the future. As MP for an area home to several life sciences companies, I welcome the opportunities this deal brings for our area and for patients across the country.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns with me. I hope you find this information helpful, but do let me know if there is anything further I can help you with.