Rebates

On 20 November 2023, the UK Government and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (“ABPI”) ‒ the industry body representing the innovative pharmaceutical industry in the UK ‒ announced a new 5-year voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (“VPAG”).

Although the parties have announced agreement upon heads of terms, it is already clear this is very significant news for the pricing and reimbursement of branded medicines in the UK.  It is likely to represent a paradigm-shift in the way the innovative pharmaceutical industry will view reimbursement.Continue Reading VPAG – New 5-Year Pricing Agreement Agreed between UK Government and the UK Pharmaceutical Industry Body (ABPI)

EU competition law imposes significant constraints on the ability of dominant firms in the life sciences sector to freely determine the price of their products. Price cuts and loyalty-inducing rebates can be abusive. So can excessively high or discriminatory prices.  Vertically-integrated firms that control an important input must also ensure that the prices they charge upstream and downstream leave a sufficient margin to downstream competitors that rely on the upstream input.

Although these constraints apply only to firms that hold a dominant position on the relevant market where they are active, the importance of these limitations should not be underestimated considering that competition authorities are adopting very narrow market definitions.

Continue Reading The Limits Imposed by EU Competition Law on Pricing by Dominant Firms in the Life Sciences Sector