NHS to Test Single National Formulary Prototype to Address Medicine Access Inequities
NHS England has announced the commencement of testing for a prototype single national formulary (SNF) by June 2026. This initiative was revealed at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress 2026 in London. The SNF aims to standardize the process of prescribing medicines across England, addressing the current 'postcode lottery' where access to medicines varies by location. The test phase will include the development of draft national guidance for local formulary standardization, with decisions in therapeutic areas expected to be released starting July 2026. The SNF will be integrated into clinical workloads and prescribing systems as a digital product, while maintaining clinicians' freedom to prescribe based on patient needs. The final national guidance is anticipated by December 2026, with a full digital tool launch in July 2027. 
