NHS England has set out the proposed scope and timetable for a regional funding pilot designed to accelerate uptake of medicines already recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The pilot develops the dedicated regional funding initiative announced by the government in July.
The central question is whether alternative funding arrangements can reduce the effect of local affordability constraints on treatment adoption. Integrated Care Boards commission many medicines for large eligible populations, and uptake can vary despite a common national NICE recommendation.
NHS England has selected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and heart failure as the initial therapeutic areas. Its selection process considered unmet need, national priorities, potential for increased uptake and the capacity to generate evidence for future policy.
An autumn call for participation by NHS regions is expected to run for six to eight weeks, with participating regions selected before the end of 2026. The pilot is targeted to begin at the start of the 2027/28 financial year and run for two years. Regions will coordinate Integrated Care Board participation and provide local oversight.
NHS England will monitor medicine uptake, variation between areas and associated patient impacts during the pilot. Funding structures and the individual medicines to be included have not yet been specified publicly.
The programme moves July’s broad proposal towards a defined test of local budget constraints. Its findings may inform how nationally recommended treatments are financed and implemented across England, alongside work on a Single National Formulary.
Source: NHS England, article hosted by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Link: Guest article from NHS England: New funding approaches to drive adoption of innovative medicines pilot
Date: 9 October 2026
Source: Department of Health and Social Care
Link: NHS patients get faster access to medicines under new pilots
Date: 2 July 2026
