NICE has said its new aligned pathway with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will help bring medicines to patients faster, with the first guidance expected in June 2026. The process, which launched on 1 April, is designed to run NICE’s value assessment alongside MHRA licensing so that decisions on approval and cost-effectiveness can be made at the same time.
The move is part of wider government commitments in England to speed up access to safe and effective treatments, while giving pharmaceutical companies clearer timelines and earlier advice on the evidence they need to submit. NICE said the new approach, together with an improved Integrated Scientific Advice service, should reduce delays in bringing medicines to NHS patients.
Why the new pathway matters for NHS care
According to NICE, the aligned route is intended to help patients receive treatments up to six months sooner than under previous processes. The organisation said the first treatments are already moving through the pathway, after 27 companies signed up as early adopters.
The plan is also aimed at supporting the UK life sciences sector. NICE said the streamlined process should improve predictability for companies, strengthen planning, and make the UK a more attractive place for innovation and investment. The MHRA said the collaboration is meant to deliver earlier access to innovative medicines while also supporting research and economic growth.
Early signs of implementation
NICE said the first guidance from the new route is expected in June 2026, marking the first major test of the system in practice. The agencies said the work will continue as they aim to align licensing and value assessment more closely across the UK health and care system.
The announcement follows other recent NICE activity on medicines access, including guidance published in May 2026 on givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which was recommended for use on the NHS after a commercial deal was reached. For further details, see the official NICE news release here and the NICE news archive here.
While the new pathway is expected to speed up decisions, NICE said its committees will still apply rigorous assessments of clinical benefit and value for money before recommending treatments for routine NHS use.
