NICE Technology Appraisals — August 2026 

On 6 August 2026, NICE recommended acalabrutinib (Calquence®, AstraZeneca) in two combination regimens for first-line treatment of blood cancers. Acalabrutinib plus bendamustine and rituximab was recommended for adults with untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant, with approximately 350 patients expected to benefit. Acalabrutinib plus venetoclax (without obinutuzumab) was recommended […]

UK–US Trade Agreement and July Developments

UK–US Trade Agreement and July Developments On 2 July 2026, the Department of Health announced a series of fast-track drug access pilots from September 2026. 1 These pilots add to the cost pressures brought about by the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold increase to £25,000–£35,000 per QALY which took effect in April 2026, and the commitment under the […]

NHS Structural Policy — Health Bill

Abolishing NHS England. The Health Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 14 May 2026. It proposes to abolish NHS England and transfer the bulk of its functions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and to Integrated Care Boards.3 ICBs will become strategic commissioners of almost all services, including […]