Trump drug price row: Government must convene taskforce and put emergency plans in place to protect NHS

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Responding to news overnight that Donald Trump has written to major pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca and GSK, demanding lower drug prices in the US paid for by higher prices elsewhere, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Sarah Olney said:

“We must stand up to Trump’s bullying tactics - now he’s threatening our health. Wes Streeting should urgently convene a taskforce and put an emergency plan in place to protect the NHS and millions of patients from drug shortages and sky-high prices that could result from this. So far, we have instead rolled over and promised to review drug pricing to keep Trump happy, putting him ahead of patients.

“People need to know that the medicines they rely on just to get through their daily lives will be there when they need them, no matter what Trump threatens next. The Government should be making plans for stockpiling as a matter of urgency.

“This is yet another painful reminder that the Prime Minister needs to stop this trade war by speaking the only language that the President understands, strength, by showing Trump we have alternatives through an economic coalition of the willing.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Reporting from Telegraph here, including on NHS promising to review drug prices as part of UK-US trade agreement earlier this year.