Drug prices look set to increase

The price the NHS pays for drugs looks set to rise as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to agree to US President Donald Trump’s demands to pay pharmaceutical companies more money, in a bid to steer him away from his threatened tariffs on the sector, reports suggest.

Drug prices look set to increase

The plan includes raising the NICE threshold, which measures whether a treatment offers good value for money, by 25%.

A UK government spokesperson said: ‘We've secured a landmark economic partnership with the US that includes working together on pharmaceutical exports from the UK, whilst improving conditions for pharmaceutical companies here.

‘We're now in advanced discussions with the US administration to secure the best outcome for the UK, reflecting our strong relationship and the opportunities from close partnership with our pharmaceutical industry.'

The Liberal Democrats have criticised the move, questioning how much it will cost and whether it will lead to further cuts to the NHS.

Rebuilding digital confidence in the NHS

Rebuilding digital confidence in the NHS

By Lee Peart 10 July 2026

Ian Roberts, managing director at Granicus UK, explains why trust, not technology, will define the next phase of transformation

Now showing: Manchester's first MediCinema

By Emily Whitehouse 10 July 2026

For children in hospital, the hardest part is often everything they’re missing – home, friends, family and school. For a couple of hours, a trip to the cinem...

The innovation we cannot afford to miss

By Lee Peart 10 July 2026

Kimberley Frost, lead for Women in Health Innovation & Technology and workstream lead for the deputy chief executives office, Health Innovation Yorkshire & H...


Popular articles by Liz Wells