U.K., Nov. 4 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:
The Health and Social Care Committee has welcomed the National Audit Office's announcement that it will investigate the long-term financial implications on the NHS of the UK-US pharmaceuticals deal.
Read the NAO's investigation - changes to pharmaceutical pricing arrangements
Read the Committee's letter to the NAO
Health and Social Care Committee Chair Layla Moran MP said:
"We welcome the NAO's decision to investigate the UK-US pharma deal. The Health and Social Care Committee, alongside five other select committees, called on the NAO to examine this agreement out of concern for its potentially enormous, long-lasting financial implications for the NHS and patients.
"We did so after repeated attempts to obtain information from the Department and Ministers were rebuffed. This lack of transparency and candour has been a source of frustration.
"We also welcome the NAO's decision to establish what information and forecasts are available on the costs arising from the agreement, and its intention to examine how the agreement was developed and what processes were followed.
"The NAO's investigation should help provide Parliament and the public with greater transparency and assurance in an area where significant questions remain unanswered."
Committee Chair Layla Moran wrote to the NAO asking it to examine the deal in a joint letter, signed by Chairs of the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Committee, the Science and Technology Committee, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Scottish Affairs Committee and Welsh Affairs Committee, linked at the top of this page.
Further information
About Parliament: Select committees
Visiting Parliament: Watch committees
Health and Social Care Committee
Image: House of Commons
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