Patients in England could gain earlier access to new medicines after NICE and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched a new aligned pathway designed to speed up licensing and value decisions. The joint process, announced by NICE on 17 March 2026 and due to launch on 1 April, is intended to bring the two assessments together so companies receive clearer timelines and patients may benefit sooner.
What the new pathway changes
According to NICE, the aligned pathway will allow its decision-making to run alongside the MHRA’s, rather than following it later, so that decisions on licensing and value can be made at the same time. NICE said the move is part of commitments in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England and Life Sciences Sector Plan, with the goal of getting medicines to patients faster and reducing unnecessary delays.
The agency also said the new arrangement is being paired with an improved Integrated Scientific Advice service. That service will offer a single entry point, one meeting and one payment, while still providing independent advice aligned on issues such as endpoints and patient populations. NICE said the aim is to help companies plan development earlier and reduce unexpected delays in the approval process. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/patients-to-get-new-medicines-up-to-six-months-sooner-under-new-joint-mhra-nice-approval-process))
Implications for patients and the life sciences sector
Health Innovation and Safety Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said the changes are intended to cut red tape so safe and effective new medicines can reach NHS patients up to six months sooner. NICE chief executive Professor Jonathan Benger said the collaboration should help deliver predictable timelines, clarify evidence requirements earlier and support faster access to treatments across the NHS.
MHRA chief executive Lawrence Tallon said the streamlined approach is also meant to make the UK a more attractive launch market for global life sciences companies and encourage research and development investment. NICE said 27 companies had signed up as early adopters after registrations opened in October 2025, and that the first guidance from the aligned pathway is expected in June 2026. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/patients-to-get-new-medicines-up-to-six-months-sooner-under-new-joint-mhra-nice-approval-process))
Why the timing matters
The announcement comes as health systems continue to look for ways to shorten the gap between regulatory approval and real-world access. NICE said the new pathway is designed not only to improve speed, but also to give companies more certainty and help the NHS bring innovations into care more efficiently. While the full impact will depend on how the process works in practice, the launch marks a significant shift in how new medicines may move through the UK system. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/patients-to-get-new-medicines-up-to-six-months-sooner-under-new-joint-mhra-nice-approval-process))
For patients waiting on new treatments, the change could mean earlier access to therapies that have already been shown to be safe and effective. For the wider health sector, it signals a closer working relationship between the UK’s regulator and health technology assessor, with the first results expected later this year. ([nice.org.uk](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/patients-to-get-new-medicines-up-to-six-months-sooner-under-new-joint-mhra-nice-approval-process))
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