Uptake
Medicines and the nation's health have been kept apart. It's time to bring them together.
Reducing unwarranted variation
Approving innovative medicines for use on the NHS is only the first step. NHS patients can only benefit if those medicines are adopted quickly and consistently across the health service.
Variation in the uptake of innovative medicines has long been a challenge across the UK. All too often, people with the same condition can get radically different treatments, despite the NHS constitution promising equal access to all NICE-approved medicines 90 days after their approval.
An NHS Alliance report found that, when comparing the use of three types of medicines related to diabetes, there is more than 51 per cent variance between NHS Trusts in England.
Supporting faster adoption
To address this challenge, the NHS and industry are working together to support faster and more consistent adoption of innovative medicines.
New medicines access pilots have been developed jointly by industry and government. Launching in September 2026, these have the potential to help patients access innovative medicines sooner while ensuring fair and consistent availability across the NHS in England.
The proposed Single National Formulary for England also has the potential to reduce variation in access and improve NHS patients’ experience. Its success will depend on careful implementation that supports innovation while meeting the needs of patients and the NHS. .
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Last reviewed date: 22 July 2026
Next review date: 22 July 2029