Patients to access new medicines up to six months earlier under MHRA and NICE collaboration

18th March 2026

Summary:
Patients in the UK could gain access to new medicines up to six months earlier under a new joint approval process introduced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The initiative will align regulatory approval and health technology assessment timelines, allowing both organisations to review medicines in parallel rather than sequentially. This coordinated approach is designed to reduce delays between licensing and patient availability, helping people benefit from innovative treatments sooner while maintaining robust standards for safety, quality and cost effectiveness. The new process also aims to strengthen the UK’s attractiveness as a location for life sciences innovation and investment.

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/patients-to-get-new-medicines-up-to-six-months-sooner-under-new-joint-mhra-nice-approval-process

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