Policy paper

2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth

An agreement between DHSC, NHS England and ABPI to support patient access to medicines, the financial sustainability of the NHS and the UK life sciences sector.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 14 December 2023
• Last updated: 2 June 2026 — See all updates

Documents

2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth

PDF, 1.17 MB, 97 pages

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Annexes to the 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth

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Annex 5: scheme calculations

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Details

The 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG) is a voluntary agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

The voluntary scheme aims to:

• promote better patient outcomes and a healthier population
• support UK economic growth
• contribute to a financially sustainable NHS

The voluntary scheme came into force on 1 January 2024 and will remain in place for 5 years until 31 December 2028.

Published 14 December 2023

Last updated 2 June 2026 — Show all updates

1. 2 June 2026

   All documents have been updated following the implementation of the US-UK partnership on pharmaceuticals. Changes reflect the new NICE cost-effectiveness threshold, a new 15% ceiling on VPAG headline payment percentages for the remaining years of the scheme, and a commitment to ensuring VPAG does not recoup any estimated increase in spending on branded medicines due to the arrangement.

2. 14 December 2023

   First published.