Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between (1) their ability to deliver the Life Sciences Vision, including the ambitions to grow the life sciences sector, and (2) the rebates imposed on companies through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure we deliver the Life Sciences Vision. Supporting the life sciences industry and future innovation is an objective of the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access (VPAS), and DSIT is working with DHSC to understand how VPAS has impacted investment and innovation in the UK. The Government has considered in broad terms the link between volume-based rebate payments and various kinds of investment in our Impact Assessment of updates to the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines pricing, which operates alongside VPAS.