Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 April 2026
Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the UK-US Arrangement on Pharmaceutical Pricing, 2 April 2026
From: Business and Trade Committee
Inquiry: UK trade with the US
Summary
Minister of State for Trade Sir Chris Bryant updates the Business and Trade Committee on a UK-US Arrangement on Pharmaceuticals Pricing and Tariffs, secured ahead of publication. The deal improves NHS patient access to medicines, clarifies US Most Favoured Nation pricing commitments, and exempts UK pharma and medical technology exports from US tariffs for 3 years, protecting £28.5bn in annual economic output and over 195,000 jobs.
Key findings
- NHS patients gain improved access to life-changing treatments through medicines pricing changes and UK medicines spend targets negotiated in the arrangement
- UK pharmaceuticals and medical technology exports secured tariff-free access to US market for at least 3 years, exempting them from US Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs and giving UK competitive advantage
- UK pharmaceutical sector contributed £28.5bn to economy in 2025, employed over 50,000 in high-skilled jobs, and exported £21bn worldwide with 25% destined for US market
- Arrangement clarifies US commitments on Most Favoured Nation pricing policy and expectations that US companies will continue launching new medicines rapidly in UK
- No additional government costs beyond previously set out figures; government will continue assessing costs and benefits
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Liam Byrne MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety, Department for Business and Trade, US government
Notable line
“UK the first country to secure tariff free access to the US pharmaceuticals market, providing certainty for UK exporters …”
Key Quotes
“This arrangement has been made in the best interests of patients, the UK economy, and our Life Sciences sector.”
“UK pharmaceuticals and medical technology exports will be subject to no additional US tariffs as a result of US Section 232 or Section 301 investigations for at least 3 years.”
“This makes the UK the first country to secure tariff free access to the US pharmaceuticals market, providing certainty for UK exporters, and gives the UK sector a competitive advantage over other trading partners.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗