The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) could soon receive a significant boost in drug funding as the government reportedly moves to avert potential United States tariffs targeting the pharmaceutical sector. According to a Politico report on Wednesday, citing two senior industry sources, the British government is considering raising the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) threshold by 25% as part of a new budget plan.
The move, if approved, would allow higher drug pricing limits and increased NHS expenditure on medicines — a step seen as a concession to global pharmaceutical firms following mounting trade tensions with Washington. One of the sources told Politico that the government had resisted such changes for years but has now “given in,” describing the adjustment as “the price you have to pay post-[US President Donald] Trump for global pharma to continue to play in the UK.”
Trump’s administration has reportedly been pushing for more favorable market access for American drugmakers, threatening tariffs on pharmaceutical imports unless the UK relaxes its cost-effectiveness standards and procurement policies.
The alleged funding increase could reshape Britain’s healthcare procurement dynamics, improving access to newer and more expensive drugs — but also adding to fiscal pressure amid ongoing NHS budget constraints.
Neither the UK Treasury nor the Department of Health has officially commented on the report.
