Critics Slam UK Government for Secrecy Over Medicines Deal with Trump's Administration
A growing number of lawmakers, including Labour and opposition parties, are urging the UK government to lift the veil on its deal with Donald Trump's administration over the cost of medicines. The pact, signed last month, has raised concerns among health experts that it could lead to significant increases in medicine costs for patients, which would then be met by the NHS.
The cross-party group of MPs meeting this week aims to push for the government to publish its impact assessment on the deal's effects on the NHS budget and services. Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called for a full, transparent assessment of the pact's implications, warning that it could result in "significantly higher drug costs" which would divert resources from NHS services.
The government maintains that the deal will cost only an extra £1 billion between 2025-26 and 2028-29. However, there is no estimate for the long-term costs or which department will foot the bill beyond 2028-29. The Department of Health and Social Care has declined to provide these details despite parliamentary questions.
Critics say the lack of transparency is a cause for concern. Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, described the deal as "a Trump shakedown of the NHS" and accused Keir Starmer's government of being too weak in its dealings with the US president. The Liberal Democrat leader has called for a Commons debate and vote on the deal.
In contrast, health secretary Wes Streeting and business and trade secretary Peter Kyle have defended the pact as a way to safeguard patients' access to medicines while boosting pharmaceutical investment in Britain. However, the opposition remains unconvinced, pointing to concerns about the long-term costs of the deal and its potential impact on NHS services.
The government's decision to refuse key information under freedom of information legislation has also raised eyebrows. Global Justice Now's policy manager Tim Bierley said: "What have ministers got to hide?" The group had submitted a freedom of information request, which was initially refused due to being exempt from legislation.
A growing number of lawmakers, including Labour and opposition parties, are urging the UK government to lift the veil on its deal with Donald Trump's administration over the cost of medicines. The pact, signed last month, has raised concerns among health experts that it could lead to significant increases in medicine costs for patients, which would then be met by the NHS.
The cross-party group of MPs meeting this week aims to push for the government to publish its impact assessment on the deal's effects on the NHS budget and services. Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called for a full, transparent assessment of the pact's implications, warning that it could result in "significantly higher drug costs" which would divert resources from NHS services.
The government maintains that the deal will cost only an extra £1 billion between 2025-26 and 2028-29. However, there is no estimate for the long-term costs or which department will foot the bill beyond 2028-29. The Department of Health and Social Care has declined to provide these details despite parliamentary questions.
Critics say the lack of transparency is a cause for concern. Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, described the deal as "a Trump shakedown of the NHS" and accused Keir Starmer's government of being too weak in its dealings with the US president. The Liberal Democrat leader has called for a Commons debate and vote on the deal.
In contrast, health secretary Wes Streeting and business and trade secretary Peter Kyle have defended the pact as a way to safeguard patients' access to medicines while boosting pharmaceutical investment in Britain. However, the opposition remains unconvinced, pointing to concerns about the long-term costs of the deal and its potential impact on NHS services.
The government's decision to refuse key information under freedom of information legislation has also raised eyebrows. Global Justice Now's policy manager Tim Bierley said: "What have ministers got to hide?" The group had submitted a freedom of information request, which was initially refused due to being exempt from legislation.
It just doesn't make sense that they won't share the full info on how much it'll cost the NHS and what department will foot the bill after 2028-29. Like, if it's gonna be an extra £1 billion by 2026-27, why not tell us where that cash is coming from? 
It sounds like a massive shakedown to me, especially considering Trump's...erm...let's just say "interesting" track record on healthcare 
. Can't we have transparency and honesty in politics for once? 
omg dont u think its crazy that the uk gov is keepin all this info about the meds deal with trump's admin secret tho?! like what r they hiding? 
we deserve 2 know how much this deal is gonna cost us in the long run! £1billion seems like peanuts compared 2 the lifes of people who rely on meds 
might be better if they just came clean abt what dey r planning 
. We're already struggling with healthcare in the NHS and now they're like 'oh it's gonna cost us some extra cash' 
. We need transparency, we need answers! This deal better be for the NHS and not just some sweet deal for Big Pharma 
.
. It's like they're trying to hide a ticking time bomb from us. Transparency is key, and I think it's crazy that our lawmakers aren't pushing for a full assessment of this deal's implications on the NHS budget and services 
. The lack of transparency is already causing concerns among health experts, and if we don't get some answers soon, it could lead to huge problems down the line 
It's like they're trying to pull a fast one on us.
. The Liberal Democrat leader is right on point with his "Trump shakedown of the NHS" comment - we need more accountability from our government, pronto! 
. They say they're doing it for patients' access to meds and all that, but I don't trust it. What if it's just a way to line their own pockets or get favors from Trump's admin? 
. We need to know what we're getting ourselves into, not just for the NHS but for the entire country's finances.
. Let's make sure we're being honest and transparent about these agreements so we can make informed decisions 
.
. It seems like the government is hiding something from us and that's not okay 
. We need more information, not less 
.
. The fact that there are MPs from different parties pushing for transparency shows that people are still paying attention and care about the NHS. And hey, if the deal is really going to help patients get the meds they need, then maybe we should give the gov't some credit for trying 
. But at the same time, I'm also worried about those long-term costs... let's hope they do have a solid plan in place 
The fact that Labour is pushing for transparency is a great idea 
- we should know what's going on here! £1 billion seems like a lot, but if there are long-term costs we're not aware of, that's a big problem 
. I'm also curious about which department will end up footing the bill after 2028-29 
.
NHS patients are already struggling with high costs, now they're gonna have to foot even more 
. And let's be real, if it was Trump's idea, why are we surprised it's shady? 
Not just spin and PR talk 
We need facts, not fairy tales 
And if they can't deliver that, then maybe it is time for a debate and vote in Parliament 
. Long-term costs? What's that gonna cost us?