The UK government has announced a new joint information sharing agreement designed to accelerate patient access to innovative treatments across England. Under the initiative, pharmaceutical companies will be invited to register early with both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), enabling parallel decision-making on licensing and value.
This change means more medicines will be approved for use on the NHS in England at the same time they receive UK licensing, allowing patients to access the latest treatments three to six months earlier.
Part of the Ten Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Growth Strategy
The initiative is a key component of the government’s Ten Year Health Plan and industrial strategy, reinforcing its commitment to smarter regulation and a target to reduce administrative costs for businesses by 25 per cent.
By integrating processes between the MHRA and NICE, the new approach provides medicine developers with coordinated advice, a clear pathway for regulatory approvals, and simplified compliance with Health Technology Assessment (HTA) requirements. This ensures faster market entry and quicker delivery of breakthrough treatments to patients.
Companies Encouraged to Register Early
Pharmaceutical companies are urged to register their products on UK PharmaScan, the national horizon-scanning database, at least three years before their expected marketing authorisation. Early registration will help streamline decision-making and avoid delays in bringing innovative medicines to the market.
Government’s Vision: Faster Access, Stronger Economy
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“This government is cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and driving growth in the UK life sciences sector so patients can access innovative treatments faster. To save our NHS and prepare it for the future, we must work differently. By uniting two of our most important regulators, we are removing barriers, speeding up approvals and strengthening our economy.
Britain should be at the forefront of the technological and life sciences revolution. Our Ten Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan will drive the breakthroughs needed to set global standards and boost growth nationwide.”
MHRA: Delivering Smarter, Faster Regulation
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, added:
“Our priority is to ensure patients gain access to safe, effective and affordable medicines as quickly as possible. By working more closely with NICE, we are building a faster, more efficient regulatory system to deliver life-changing treatments to NHS patients sooner.
This marks an important step towards smarter regulation, strengthening the UK’s global position as a leader in life sciences innovation and attracting greater international investment.”
