| Author/s | Levy C, Francis S, Haines D, Adams H |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type of publication | Conference poster |
| Link | https://genomicspartnership.wales/events/genomics-showcase-2026/ |
| Conference |
Poster (#17) presented at Genomics Showcase, April 2026, Cardiff. Abstract. Ensuring access to medicines that require genomic testing for patient eligibility depends on the NHS in Wales being prepared to deliver these services. The New Treatment Fund (NTF) aims to improve timely patient access to medicines recommended by AWMSG or NICE. The NTF start date should align with appraisal approval, and the NHS in Wales should make the medicines available within 60 days. However, national delays to the NTF start date can occur due to the unavailability of new testing services. All medicines recommended by NICE and AWMSG between January and December 2025 were reviewed. A medicine was classed as requiring a genomic test if NICE or the manufacturer indicated a testing requirement. Implementation time was measured from appraisal approval to NHS providers in Wales confirming NTF availability. Of 71 medicines recommended in 2025, 14 (20%) required a genomic test. Of these, twelve medicines (86%) had no national testing delays, and had a median implementation time of 13 days (0 – 113 days). Two medicines had national delays due to the issues in delivering the required genomic/pathology service. Median implementation times by NHS providers for these medicines were 39 and 50 days respectively. Most medicines requiring genomic testing had no national testing delays, and the medicines with testing delays were still implemented within 60 days. This suggests that genomic/pathology services could be effectively delivered. |