Life Sciences
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the correspondence from the Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear to the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, dated 30 January 2026, if he will to publish the joint analysis undertaken by his Department, NHS England and NICE on the cost impact of the UK-US life sciences deal.
Answered by Dr Zubir Ahmed
There are no current plans to publish the joint analysis undertaken by the Department, NHS England, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the cost of the United Kingdom and United States’ pharmaceutical trade deal.
Tens of thousands of National Health Service patients will benefit from this deal, which will secure and expand access to vital drugs, and thereby safeguard our medicines supply chain.
Costs will start smaller but will increase over time as NICE approves more life improving and lifesaving medicines. Total costs over the Spending Review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. The final costs will depend on which medicines NICE recommends and the actual uptake of these.
This deal is a vital investment that builds on the strength of our NHS and world leading life sciences without taking essential funding from our frontline NHS services.
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