OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Proposed 2026 changes to the statutory scheme for branded medicines pricing

From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Published
10 February 2026
Last updated
10 June 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Response to consultation on changes to headline payment percentage and approach to consultations of the statutory scheme to control the cost of branded health service medicines

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Final stage impact assessment: proposed 2026 changes to the statutory scheme for branded medicines pricing

PDF, 579 KB, 27 pages

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Detail of outcome

Following detailed consideration of the consultation responses, the Department of Health and Social Care has decided to implement the proposals to maintain broad commercial equivalence with the voluntary scheme, and expedite future consultations, by:

  • decreasing the statutory scheme headline payment percentage for 2026 and beyond to 16.5%
  • following an alternative approach to consulting on future adjustments to headline percentage rates by direct engagement through workshops with industry and patient groups, with an invitation to submit written evidence

Original consultation

Summary

Proposed changes to the headline payment percentage and consultation procedure of the statutory scheme to control the cost of branded health service medicines.

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

We are consulting on proposals to amend the Branded Health Service Medicines (Costs) Regulations 2018 to restore broad commercial equivalence with the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG). The consultation will propose to update the payment percentage for newer medicines and simplify the procedure for future consultations.

We welcome responses from any interested person, business or organisation.

Documents

Proposed changes to headline payment percentage and approach to consultations of the statutory scheme to control the cost of branded health service medicines - consultation document

HTML

Consultation stage impact assessment: proposed 2026 changes to the statutory scheme for branded medicines pricing

PDF, 843 KB, 26 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@dhsc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Respond online

Updates to this page

Published 10 February 2026
Last updated 10 June 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Added a response to the consultation.

  2. First published.

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