November 3, 2017

expert reaction to new NHS accelerated access scheme

The government has just announced a new, fast-track route into the NHS for “breakthrough” medicines and technologies in a bid to dramatically speed up the time it takes for patients to benefit from ground-breaking products for conditions such as cancer, dementia and diabetes.

Prof Sir Robert Lechler FMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said:

“I am pleased to see that Government has taken forward the recommendation within the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy to implement the findings of the Accelerated Access Review. Patients across the UK can now be reassured that there will soon be a fast-track route to support the uptake and adoption of pioneering products that will help change the lives of patients. It is schemes such as the Accelerated Access Pathway that continue to show that the UK is committed to leading the translation of ground-breaking medical research into the clinic.

“It is vital that we build upon this initiative to ensure innovative medicines and technologies are accessible to patients throughout the country. I am particularly pleased to see the commitment to keep the scheme under close review to consider opportunities for the pathway to be expanded to include additional categories of products.”

Declared interests

None received.