NHS 10-year plan
Medicines UK welcomed the government's 10-year plan for the NHS when it was published in 2025. It offered much-needed clarity and certainty on the future direction of the NHS and its service reform. The delivery of the plan needs to rely on the value and access achieved through generic and biosimilar medicines, which fulfil four out of five NHS prescriptions. As an association, we were pleased to see the reforms look at how effective but better-value products can be more widely adopted.
Single national formulary
The development of a single national formulary presents an opportunity to support clinicians in prescribing the most appropriate and cost-effective medicines for the benefit of patients, independent of where they live in the UK. The details of its implementation will need to be carefully worked through, and we are keen to support government partners in its rollout to maximise patient benefit and access.
Funding mandates
In the 10-year plan, NICE will retire funding mandates for medicines when other drugs become available that are proven to offer more successful treatment outcomes, fewer side effects or better value for money.
Medicines UK supports NICE in evolving its recommendations on a rolling basis to ensure that patients get the right treatment at the right time in their pathway. This means people can be treated earlier, before symptoms have worsened, creating better patient outcomes and potentially reducing strain on the system.
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