§ Andy BurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what negotiations have been held with the pharmaceutical industry following the consultation on the future of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme; and when they will be completed. [183533]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonFollowing consultation on the future of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme (PPRS), the Department started confidential bilateral negotiations with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on new arrangements. These negotiations started in February 2004 and are continuing. It remains the Government's preference to include another voluntary PPRS agreement with the research-based pharmaceutical industry and to do this as speedily as possible commensurate with a satisfactory outcome for the taxpayer and the national health service.