Switching from original biologic to biosimilar medicines could save the NHS £1 billion over five years, according to NHS England. The health authority released its '2025/2026 priorities and operational planning guidance' for NHS trusts and integrated care boards on January 31, 2025. This guidance stressed the importance of adopting the best-value biological medicine, particularly when biosimilars are available, as part of its commitment to improving efficiency.
A spokesperson from NHS England, speaking to The Pharmaceutical Journal on February 6, 2025, remarked, "There is an opportunity with biologic medicines to save £1bn over five years by rapidly taking up new biosimilar drugs..." This initiative supports broader NHS goals to improve patient care and reduces costs.
Board papers released by NHS England highlighted substantial financial progress, noting at least half of these savings could be realized by 2028. These documents revealed, "Work on the pipeline opportunities available for biosimilars up to 2028 could realize over £0.5 billion in savings," with the agency already achieving savings of £171 million by July 2024 through medicines efficiencies.
To facilitate these savings, NHS England is currently consulting on its standard contract for 2025/2026. It has proposed introducing new service conditions requiring providers to strive for the prescription of cost-effective biosimilar biological medicines. Fiona Bride, the director of medicines value and access at NHS England, emphasized the need for innovative yet affordable treatments, stating, "NHS England has a strong track record of securing patient access to innovative, life-changing treatments at prices ensuring value for taxpayers. We are finding and delivering savings opportunities for NHS medicines.”
Simultaneously, the NHS faces pressing challenges on other fronts. A troubling case has come to light involving Jessie, 35, who was stuck for nearly 18 months at Northampton General Hospital. She recorded her experiences for a video diary, expressing feelings of anger, worthlessness, and distress. Her case exemplifies the increasing pressures on the social care system and the struggles of vulnerable individuals.
Jessie's situation started when she was admitted to the hospital on April 14, 2023, with cellulitis. Despite being medically fit for discharge, the search for suitable accommodation to meet her care needs was unyielding. Reports indicate she spent 550 days inside her hospital cubicle before being arrested and moved to a care home, highlighting alarming deficiencies within the NHS discharge system.
An investigation revealed Jessie was one of over 70 individuals facing similar circumstances, contributing to the troubling statistic from January 2025, which indicated nearly 13,000 hospital beds across England were occupied by patients with no medical reason to be there. Health officials indicated consistent delays were often due to insufficient social care at home or limited placements within care or rehabilitation homes.
Professor Arlene Wellman from St George’s Hospital has spoken about these challenges amid rising case numbers of norovirus, which has contributed to hospital ward closures. A recent outbreak has led to 961 daily hospitalizations across England, underscoring the urgency for improved cleanliness and hygiene practices, particularly with alarming increases reported as high as 69 percent over the last year.
Drastic statistics support the urgent message: the majority of norovirus cases originate from improper hand hygiene — highlighting the need for preventive measures. The NHS continues to advise patients with norovirus symptoms to stay away from vulnerable settings, reinforcing the importance of hygiene.
On another front, the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has issued advice to patients with respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD, which can worsen during winter. Recommendations urge people to manage their conditions proactively by maintaining appropriate medication, remaining active, and ensuring adequate heating and ventilation at home. They emphasized being current on winter vaccinations as another preventive measure.
Despite these initiatives, serious concerns loom over the NHS infrastructure itself. Current reports cite crumbling hospitals, outdated IT systems, and overwhelmed staff struggling with burnout due to the pressing needs caused by growing patient backlogs – currently at over 7.5 million. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for the government to back infrastructure improvements and bolster staffing, as many medical professionals face rising attrition rates.
Surgeon Francisca Ferreira, working within the NHS, highlighted the need for immediate investment, especially concerning surgical hubs, which facilitate improved patient throughput during peaks of emergency care and can alleviate some backlogs. “We need to properly fund social care to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and stays,” she stated, adding emphasis on the necessity for public health funding and community support systems.
Even with extensive efforts, experts warn of the need for substantial systemic changes across the board. Until these challenges are adequately addressed, the promise of timelier healthcare and enhanced patient experiences will remain distant for many. The consequences of delayed action may overshadow current efforts for positive change within the turbulent NHS framework, making the situation untenable for patients and medical professionals alike.