Latest news with #drugcharges
Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
NHS drug charges row hits deadlock
Ministers have failed to agree a crucial deal on NHS drug charges that was meant to be at the centre of a plan to boost growth. Talks on Friday between the Government and pharmaceutical industry bosses ended without an agreement on how much the NHS is able to claw back in rebates on drugs. Ministers had been hoping to be able to address industry complaints of unfairness prior to the publication a strategy for the sector, expected next week. One senior pharmaceutical executive said: 'If a [NHS clawback] deal is not secured, it's a missed opportunity for the life sciences sector plan and one which blocks the UK's ambition to be a life sciences superpower.' Another said that the UK needed to show it wanted to make the scheme competitive again, adding: 'Without that, all the high statements of ambition or new strategies in the world are not going to make the UK a leading life sciences centre.' The Department of Health launched a review of NHS rebates earlier this year under pressure from Donald Trump and the pharmaceutical industry. Ministers said they would take into account the 'concerns of the US president' that countries are unfairly keeping prices low relative to the high drug costs in the American health system. Under the trade agreement signed between the two nations earlier this year, the Government agreed to 'endeavour to improve the overall environment for pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK'. The failure to secure a deal ahead of the publication of the sector strategy follows months of wrangling. Under the current rebate scheme, known as VPAG, pharmaceutical companies have to hand at least 23pc of their revenue from sales of branded medicines back to the NHS. The scheme cut the drug bill by £3bn last year. However, pharmaceutical bosses have warned the scheme is preventing the launch of cutting-edge medicines in the UK. They have pressed for the UK to cut the rate of rebates into single digits, a level seen elsewhere in Europe. The life sciences strategy is one of several sector plans announced as part of Labour's industrial strategy. Others were published this week. A spokesman for the Government said: 'Economic growth is our number one priority and we're taking decisive action to unlock innovation and drive investment in the UK's world-class pharmaceutical sector. As part of this, we continue to work closely with industry on a rapid review of our voluntary scheme for medicines pricing. 'With our work and investment, we will make sure the next game changers in medicine are developed here in Britain, for the benefit of our health at home and abroad.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Ohio State quarterback in court on latest drug charge
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former Ohio State quarterback indicted on felony drug charges after being found with crack pipes in his pants pocket has yet to officially enter a plea. Defense counsel for Art Schlichter, who played for the Buckeyes between 1978-81, is facing a drug possession charge, a fifth-degree felony, and was in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday morning. Schlichter and his attorney were granted a seventh continuance in the case against him, which alleges that he gave an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper two crack pipes during a traffic stop in North Linden on Feb. 2. After a probable cause search of his vehicle, small white rocks were found and Schlichter reportedly told the trooper they were 'crack rocks.' Ohio one of the worst states for lung health in America, according to recent analysis Body camera footage released last February by the OSHP showed over six minutes of the encounter. At the time of his arrest, Schlichter was serving one year of probation for another fifth-degree felony drug charge from a June 2022 incident. That charge came when he was found unresponsive and had to be revived with Narcan at a hotel outside of Columbus. Online court records showed that if Schlichter violated his probation, he would be subject to 11 months in prison. A status conference was scheduled for July 28, and he could face a trial if he does not plead guilty by August 25. His attorney, Sean Thivener, said Schlichter, in the midst of reported health issues, will review his options. 'I want the court to know that (Schlichter) would like to discuss this a little bit further with his family. But today we are not ready to enter any plea,' Thivener said. Schlichter, who was most recently indicted in August 2024, previously spent 10 years in prison for gambling related crimes and later served time in federal prison from a ticket scam in which he stole millions of dollars from victims. He was released from Trumbull Correctional Institution in Levittsburg, Ohio in 2021. Upon release from prison in 2006, Schlichter wrote a book about his addiction, 'Busted,' and became an anti-gambling crusader. But as he railed against casinos during church appearances, he continued to rack up new gambling debts. Schlichter became the program's all-time leader in offense during his tenure as a Buckeye. After college, Schlichter was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL draft. He threw three touchdown passes in the NFL before moving over to arena football. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Northern Colorado man arrested, accused of selling marijuana to minors
A man in northern Colorado is facing drug charges after he allegedly sold marijuana to minors through social media. According to the Fort Collins Police Department, officers and Loveland Police SWAT arrested Garett Van Mullins on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into underage marijuana sales. Larimer County Sheriff's Office Police said they believe Van Mullins has been using social media sites under the monikers "420 Minister" and "I Am Foundation Church" to sell marijuana. Van Mullins is facing charges of unlawful distribution of marijuana to a minor, a class 3 felony. Authorities asked anyone with information on the case or who believes their teenager purchased from him to contact FCPS Marijuana Enforcement Officer Jim Lenderts at (970) 416-2949 or jlenderts@
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
Famed boxing trainer Stefy Bull facing up to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of serious drug offenses
Prominent boxing trainer and manager Stefy Bull is facing a potential 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of drug-related charges in England. Bull, whose real name is Andrew Bulcroft, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at the Sheffield Crown Court for conspiracy to supply cocaine. The 48-year-old former professional boxer, who shared the ring with legendary British pugilist Amir Khan in 2007, has been in custody since Feb. 28 and is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 26. Advertisement Bull was found to have used the now-defunct EncroChat encrypted network under the pseudonym "Yummycub" to buy significant quantities of cocaine. Messages from March to May 2020 reportedly showed Bull inquiring about the purchase of kilograms (2.2 pounds) of cocaine for £38,000 each ($51,340). The prosecution argued that "Yummycub" revealed the location of his boxing gym, home address, and birthday — all of which matched Bull's — making it apparent that Bull was behind the "Yummycub" profile and therefore involved in the purchase of significant amounts of the Class A drug directly from importers. Bull pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. It was argued on his behalf that boxers he trained or managed at the time would sometimes stay at his house, so one of them could have been behind the "Yummycub" profile. Bull did not name any fighters he suspected, and there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of any boxer associated with Bull. Advertisement Bull's co-conspirator, Benjamin Williams, pleaded guilty to four criminal offenses in February, including three drug-related charges. Williams and Bull shared a friendship lasting several years and had agreed to get involved in the sale of cocaine together, the court heard. Large amounts of cocaine were present at Williams' property, and his fingerprints were on money belonging to Christopher and Jonathan McAllister — who Bull and Williams had conspired to purchase narcotics from. The Yorkshire boxing figure has been a notable absentee in the past year from the corner of three-division world champion Terri Harper, whom he trained and managed, among other fighters in his British stable. Bull holds licenses with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) in his capacity as a promoter, manager and trainer. All three licenses will be reviewed by the BBBofC following the news of Bull's successful conviction.
Washington Post
16-06-2025
- Washington Post
Doctor to plead guilty in case of Matthew Perry's death from ketamine
A doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death has agreed to plead guilty to multiple drug charges, according to court documents filed Monday. Salvador Plasencia, known as Dr. P., was one of the five people charged in August 2024 after an investigation into the actor's death. Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison on four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to the filing.
