Medicines are approved for use in NHS Wales following a positive recommendation by NICE or AWMSG Health Technology guidance. Medicines will normally be evaluated at the list price that is agreed with the Department of Health and Social Care. During the Health Technology process, there are opportunities for commercial engagement between companies and the NHS to improve the value proposition of a medicine.
For medicines undergoing an AWMSG evaluation, pharmaceutical companies should contact NHSWales.CA@wales.nhs.uk.
For products undergoing a NICE evaluation, NHS Wales will align commercial agreements with NHS England, but separate commercial engagement is required for Wales. Pharmaceutical companies should contact NHSWales.CA@wales.nhs.uk.
The Commercial Medicines Access Team (CMAT) is a collaborative multi-organisational team comprised of colleagues from AWTTC, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) and the Medicines Value Unit (MVU). The role and responsibility of CMAT is to support and monitor the implementation of AWMSG and NICE recommended medicines associated with a commercial arrangement within NHS Wales. A commercial arrangement improves the cost-effectiveness of a medicine; it can be a Patient Access Scheme (PAS) or a Commercial Access Agreement (CAA). This underpins the essence of A Healthier Wales, allowing patients to have timely access to medicines, while also ensuring that the NHS in Wales obtains the maximum possible value for money where medicines are concerned.
To support this work, AWTTC have established the Commercial Arrangement Scheme Wales Group (CASWG), an AWMSG sub-committee which will provide increased stakeholder involvement, transparency and governance to the approval of commercial arrangements on behalf of NHS Wales.
A list of technologies with an approved WPAS or PAS recommended by AWMSG for use in NHS Wales can be viewed from the Medicines appraisals page: click on the 'advanced search' button and select the appropriate 'commercial arrangement' option.
Documents, application forms and more information on the process and role of CASWG will be available here later in 2025. In the meantime, please email NHSWales.CA@wales.nhs.uk with any queries.