---

NHS Patients (Access to Medicines)

That is a question for NICE in deciding how to operate the system. Currently, drugs companies come in with a price at the beginning and cannot alter it, but under a value-based system they could come in with a lower price and then argue for a higher price later. ...I shall take advice from NICE on that, but I doubt it. The whole point is to have a voluntary, rigorous agreement. Drug companies have agreed to a 5 per cent. reduction in drug prices with a further 2 per cent. reduction in prospect. It is a great tribute to them that they have entered negotiations and that they are proceeding so successfully. I reassure the hon. Gentleman that a robust negotiating system will be put in place, but at the end of the day it is up to drugs companies to seek to make a drug available and to put it through the NICE process. It must be voluntary. We cannot proceed otherwise.