The NHS is expected to pay higher prices for US drugs to take into account the “concerns of the president”.
The NHS will review its drug pricing. (Image: Getty)
Labour’s trade deal with Donald Trump could see Britain paying more for US drugs to appease the US President. The NHS is set to review drug pricing in order for Britain to avoid future tariffs imposed by America, taking into account the “concerns of the president”, according to documents released after a trade agreement was signed this year.
Inside sources at the White House have now revealed that it expected the National Health Service to pay an increased price for US drugs, with the aim of boosting the American economy. The Telegraph reports a Westminster source saying: “There’s an understanding that we would look at the drug pricing issue in the concerns of the president.”
The UK may pay more for US drugs to avoid future tariffs. (Image: Getty)
This follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review last week where she announced a £29billion for the NHS to “reform the NHS and cut waiting lists, improve patient care and modernise services”.
The UK’s trade deal with America also entails Britain agreeing to take fewer Chinese drugs, it is understood. This follows a clause in the trade deal between the two nations which would grant the UK the ability to object to Chinese companies investing in Britain.
The White House has also asked the UK to not export steel or pharmaceutical products to the US which originate from China. This is due to fears from the president that it would be a loophole from Beijing to get around the tariffs imposed.
The US pays a significantly higher price for drugs compared with other countries, which Mr Trump has vocally condemned since taking office.
Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients”.
The US pays a higher price for drugs compared with other countries. (Image: Getty)
The order stated: “Americans should not be forced to subsidise low-cost prescription drugs and biologics in other developed countries, and face overcharges for the same products in the United States.”
The president instructed officials to “consider all necessary action regarding the export of pharmaceutical drugs or precursor material that may be fuelling the global price discrimination”.
A government spokesman told The Telegraph: “This Government is clear that we will only ever sign trade agreements that align with the UK’s national interests and to suggest otherwise would be misleading.
“The UK has well-established and effective mechanisms for managing the costs of medicines and has clear processes in place to mitigate risks to supply.”
