Overview

• Talks over the voluntary VPAG scheme ended without agreement on Friday, so the current framework will continue unamended.
• The DHSC says its June proposal would have lifted net NHS medicines spending by about £1bn over three years by lowering headline payments.
• The department said ABPI members were unwilling to take the package to a board vote, prompting the decision to conclude the review.
• Industry leaders call the current rebate level — about 22.9% in 2025 — unsustainable and warn it could curb UK investment and new drug launches.
• The government argues the scheme keeps the medicines bill sustainable for taxpayers while supporting patient access to innovative treatments.