The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) allows breakthrough personalised medicines to be prepared in small or individual batches, bringing care closer to the patient. This change is expected to cut wait times, free up NHS beds, and improve access to innovative therapies that were previously out of reach.
Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “This world-first legislation is a game-changer for patients. Cancer treatments tailored in days, not months. Life-saving therapies made at your bedside, not hundreds of miles away.”
He continued: “Our Plan for Change promised to build an NHS fit for the future. Today we’re delivering on that pledge by bringing cutting-edge care directly to patients when they need it most.”
Until now, personalised treatments like CAR-T cancer therapy had to be sent to specialised manufacturing facilities, often far away. This causes significant delays, and unfortunately, in some cases, patients are too sick to receive the therapy in time.
Furthermore, hospitals were sometimes only able to offer these treatments through long-winded one-off arrangements, leaving patients stressed and uncertain. Sometimes doctors may also be unsure whether to go ahead with treatment or not.
This will strengthen the UK’s leadership in safe and decentralised manufacturing. It is also expected to boost research, trials, and patient access to cutting-edge treatments. In summary, this forward-thinking mindset will help the NHS to evolve patient care to deliver treatments to more patients across the UK, thus positioning it as a leader in the next generation of medical innovation.