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Generic and Biosimilar Medications

Integrated care boards (ICBs)

Since their inception, ICBs have had to navigate significant transformation. They are increasingly central to delivering joined-up services and driving system-wide reform. With mounting pressures on workforce, funding and accountability – ICBs must balance strategic oversight with local responsiveness. We believe greater uptake of off-patent medicines can help free up local budgets and resources while supporting population health goals through improved access to essential treatments.

Generic and Biosimilar Medications

Prevention and access

The NHS 10-year plan identifies a shift towards more community-delivered care and stronger emphasis on prevention. ICBs are central to delivering this vision and ensuring its success.

 

Despite clear recognition from central government and NHS England, the value of off-patent medicines is not always realised at local system level. If ICBs are to deliver on their prevention and access goals, they must be empowered to harness the full benefits of generics and biosimilars.

 

Medicines play a vital role in societal health. Our shared agenda with ICBs is to focus on increasing awareness and understanding of the opportunities ahead.

 

Savings opportunities

NHS England has set clear goals for ICBs to increase the adoption of new generics and biosimilars for priority molecules to a minimum of 80% within 6–12 months and to deliver at least five national medicines optimisation opportunities. But beyond these immediate targets lies a much broader opportunity – one that could reshape medicines spend across the NHS over the next five years.

 

Analysis by Medicines UK shows that from 2026 to 2030, an average of 58 medicine patents will expire each year. The NHS currently spends around £1.5 billion annually on these medicines. Even if just 50% of potential savings are realised through genericisation – despite typical reductions of 70–90% – the compound savings by 2030 could reach £10 billion.

 

For each of the 26 ICBs, this equates to an average annual saving of £77 million over the next five years. These future savings are in addition to the £20 billion already saved each year through off-patent competition. This presents an immense opportunity for ICBs to unlock critical efficiencies in medicines spend while expanding patient access to essential treatments.

 

Read our Medicines UK report on the opportunity for ICBs by visiting this page.

 

 

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