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<p> </p><p>We have made no such assessment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There are
mechanisms in place to ensure that the reimbursement prices paid by the National Health
Service to dispensing contractors for generic (off-patent) medicines dispensed in
primary care provide value for money for the NHS in the majority of instances.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>For example, Part VIII of the Drug Tariff lists the most commonly
prescribed products with a reimbursement price that dispensing contractors will be
paid. Setting a reimbursement price encourages contractors to seek lower prices and
procure in a manner that is cost-effective for the NHS.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In
2013, 83.9% of NHS prescriptions in primary care were prescribed generically.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>Generic products in secondary care are tendered by the Department’s
Commercial Medicines Unit in collaboration with the NHS through a national programme
that ensures value for money by offering the NHS’ requirement to the market on a consolidated
basis, whilst ensuring quality standards are maintained.</p>
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