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Written question asked by Gregory Stafford (Conservative) on Monday, 9 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 February 2026. It was answered by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Life Sciences

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines to meet the objectives set out in the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan.

Answer

The United Kingdom is a global leader in adopting biosimilar and generic medicines, which deliver major National Health Service savings and expand patient access to effective treatments sooner.

We are working with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and NHS England to understand forthcoming biosimilars and to ensure they reach the frontline efficiently. Through NHS England’s Best Value Biologicals Framework, clinicians start patients on the most cost‑effective biologics where appropriate, and switches are made swiftly and safely. This has already delivered £1.2 billion in savings over the past three years.

As set out in the 10‑Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan, we are streamlining regulation, improving procurement, and reducing variation in uptake. NICE’s whole‑lifecycle approach ensures clinical pathways are regularly reviewed so that patients benefit as soon as cost‑effective generics and biosimilars become available, as seen in recent cancer treatments. These actions support timely access to effective off‑patent medicines and a sustainable, competitive market for the NHS.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
112053
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Generic prescribing Biosimilar medicines Life sciences
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk