A Bill to require the Secretary of State to seek licences for off-patent drugs in new indications; to require the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to conduct technology appraisals for off-patent drugs in new indications; and for connected purposes.
The Off-patent Drugs Bill would require the Secretary of State to seek licences for off-patent medicines when they are considered for new uses, and would also require NICE to carry out technology appraisals for these off-patent drugs in their new indications. The aim is to help patients access repurposed, affordable medicines while ensuring safety and good value for money for the NHS.
The bill is at the Second Reading in the Commons. If it progresses, it would move to Committee Stage for detailed scrutiny, followed by Report Stage and Third Reading, before moving to the Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill has been withdrawn and will not progress any further.
The Bill was presented to Parliament through the ballot procedure on 24 June 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
The debate on second reading on Friday 6 November 2015 was adjourned.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
