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Using our annual medicines planning publication, Prescribing Outlook

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Topics: Medicines planningNew MedicinesPatent expiries

Users should be aware of the constraints and assumptions in creating Prescribing Outlook, as well as their responsibilities for use.

Contents

  1. Prescribing Outlook 2026
  2. Accuracy of content
  3. Financial risk
  4. Adaptation of content
  5. Downloading and copying
  6. Data Security
  7. Hyperlinking
  8. Update history

Prescribing Outlook 2026

In response to stakeholder feedback, we are introducing a phased approach to publication to provide information to the system earlier.

The first phase will be published mid to late-August. Initial BNF chapters will align with therapy areas selected for the staged implementation of the Single National Formulary.

Additional chapters, biosimilars, cancer and patent sections will be released over the following weeks as they are finalised. Full Prescribing Outlook 2026 publication is planned in September 2026, together with the cost calculator which can be adapted locally for population, cost and uptake.

We will provide weekly updates of progress through LinkedIn, WhatsApp and our weekly email bulletin.

Restricted to NHS: Annual medicines planning publication, Prescribing Outlook

Our annual output ‘PO’ supports managed entry and budget planning for new medicines, new indications and medicines with loss of exclusivity in the NHS.

Accuracy of content

Information in these resources is the best available at the time of writing but, in this rapidly changing field, is subject to significant change with time.

Financial risk

Estimates of financial risk are based on our authors’ opinions and are highly sensitive to variation in the assumptions used to derive the estimates. We have used national figures; use of local figures will increase the reliability of these estimates. We explain our assumptions so you can adjust these if necessary.

Adaptation of content

The authors do not accept responsibility for accuracy of documents that are derived from this original publication.

Downloading and copying

If you download Prescribing Outlook resources you agree to abide by the following conditions.

This document is produced by the NHS for the NHS and is intended for use by individual NHS organisations exclusively for internal use within that organisation. The aim is to inform decisions about managed entry of new medicines, and medicines management more generally, within that organisation. The data within the document should not be used for commercial purposes or for any means of financial gain.

The document, and its contents, should not be posted on any website, copied or forwarded electronically outside your organisation, without express permission of the executive editors. Please contact nwmedinfo@nhs.net to request such permission.

Data Security

To prevent unauthorised access to Prescribing Outlook by non-NHS organisations, we encrypt it with a password. The password can be found on the webpage immediately above the link to the document. You will need to log in to the SPS website to see the password and the link.

Hyperlinking

We are happy for websites to hyperlink to any of our planning materials (SPS page).

Update history

  1. Republished
  2. Information on the phased approach of Prescribing Outlook 2026 publication added.
  1. Published