CAMPAIGNERS have criticised the government for attempting to “derail” a landmark resolution on pharmaceutical price transparency.

MPs and NGOs gathered at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva today called on the government to stop blocking measures for greater transparency that would ensure lower drug prices.

Last week, more than 1,000 people contacted Health Secretary Matthew Hancock and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, urging them to support the proposal.

The resolution includes making drug prices, research and development costs, patent information and clinical trial outcomes more transparent.

Campaigners said that this would remove the current secrecy over drug prices, costs and efficacy, as well as improve the government’s position in price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.

The government is still in dispute with pharma firm Vertex over the £104,000 price of cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi.

However, Britain has been among the main critics of the transparency resolution at the WHA and has put pressure on other member states to accept amendments weakening it. For example, the government has pushed for every mention of “high prices” in the text to be deleted.

STOPAIDS director Mike Podmore said: “The UK government’s position and tactics at this week’s WHA are utterly shameful.”

Global Justice Now senior policy adviser Heidi Chow added:
“The UK government has recklessly watered down the transparency resolution and the WHO has approved a much weaker version thanks to the UK government backing big pharma over patients.”

And Labour’s shadow minister for international development Alex Norris insisted: “If this government genuinely wants to ensure that everyone can access the medicines they need, not only in the UK but right across the world, then they must start working to improve the current distorted and secretive system of drug pricing.”