Talks between the UK government and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry over revising the country’s flagship drug-pricing accord collapsed on Friday, leaving the existing rebate regime for branded medicines in place unchanged. Under the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth, drugmakers must return 23.5% to 35.6% of their NHS sales—levels the industry says are almost three times higher than in major European markets. During the negotiations the government signalled it could lower the levy to roughly 18-19%, but ministers terminated discussions after the ABPI declined to put the proposal to a board vote. ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett warned that maintaining the current payments risks “further eroding” UK competitiveness for life-sciences investment and limiting patient access to innovative treatments. The government said the existing framework would continue "unamended," though both sides indicated they remain open to future dialogue.