- Sir Hugh Taylor has been appointed to the role of Chief
Negotiations Adviser for the negotiation of the successor to the
Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS)
- In his role, Sir Hugh will oversee the negotiations for the
government and NHS on a successor to the 2019 VPAS, which expires
at the end of 2023
- Sir Hugh brings with him extensive health system expertise,
and experience working with industry partners on health and life
science priorities
Sir Hugh Taylor has been appointed to oversee the negotiations
for a successor scheme to the Voluntary Scheme for Branded
Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) that provides investment in
patient access to medicines and wider NHS services while
supporting the life sciences industry.
VPAS aims to improve patient access to medicines by getting the
best value and most effective medicines into use for people in
the UK as quickly as possible. It also keeps the branded medicine
bill affordable for the NHS by capping the growth of branded
medicine sales and supports innovation and a successful life
sciences industry in the UK.
Sir Hugh, who chaired the Accelerated Access Review in 2014 to
bring innovative technologies to the NHS, will oversee the
negotiations – which are likely to start in spring and conclude
this autumn – between the government and the pharmaceutical
industry to agree a mutually beneficial scheme which will come
into force when the current one expires at the end of 2023.
In his new role as Chief Negotiations Adviser, Sir Hugh will help
to ensure successful delivery of these objectives by guiding the
government’s strategic approach to the negotiations, and engaging
with industry leaders.
Sir Hugh has experience in a broad range of health roles,
including as former Chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s
College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts, Chair of the Health
Foundation and Trustee of Cicely Saunders International.
Health Minister said:
The appointment of Sir Hugh Taylor is a very positive step. He
brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise which will
benefit the negotiations and ensure we continue to get the best
outcome for patients, the UK life sciences sector and the
taxpayer.
We look forward to working with the sector to ensure a new
voluntary scheme continues to deliver improvements in patients
accessing clinically and cost-effective medicines, promotes
innovation in the UK economy, whilst protecting NHS finances.
The department has already been engaging with industry to enable
a mutual understanding of the impact of the current voluntary
scheme on the different organisations represented, and to discuss
the potential objectives and priorities for a new voluntary
scheme.
The Department for Health and Social Care held a series of
workshops between January and March 2023 including a range of
stakeholder roundtables including representatives from industry
bodies, patient organisations and civil society organisations.
Chief Negotiations Adviser to DHSC Sir Hugh Taylor said:
Constructive negotiations for the future VPAS scheme are an
essential part of reaching an agreement that benefits all
involved and encourages the pharmaceutical sector to continue
investing in the UK, while also making sure people get access to
the best medicines.
I’m very happy to be taking on this role and will work
collaboratively with industry to understand their views whilst
ensuring we put NHS patients first.
VPAS contributes to maintaining the affordability of branded
medicines spend across the UK, as well as providing an agreed
level of revenue growth for the life sciences industry.
Background information:
- Sir Hugh Taylor was Chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS
Foundation Trust from 2011 until November 2022, and Chair of
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from 2019 until
November 2022.
- Prior to these appointments he had a long and distinguished
career in the civil service which included senior roles in the
Department of Health and Social Care and NHS Executive, the
Cabinet Office and the Home Office. His most recent appointment
before joining Guy’s and St Thomas’, was Permanent Secretary at
the Department of Health, from which he retired in July 2010.
- Hugh has been Chair of the Board of Governors of the Health
Foundation since 2017.
- Hugh is a Trustee of Cicely Saunders International.
- He was the former Chair of the National Skills Academy for
Health, and between 2011 and 2017 he was a Trustee of Macmillan
Cancer Support
