Life-Changing Medicines Available More Quickly in Wales

Patients in Wrexham and across Wales are gaining access to new medicines after only 10 days on average, thanks to the introduction of a specialist treatment fund.

This week marks one year since the Welsh Labour Government introduced the £80m New Treatment Fund and Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has praised its impact.

Following its introduction, the average time taken for new life-changing medicines to be made available on the Welsh NHS reduced to 17 days during the first six months of the year.  During the second six months of 2017, this figure reduced to only 10 days – significantly ahead of the 60-day deadline.

The fund was one of Welsh Labour’s key pledges at the 2016 Assembly elections.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “The £80m Treatment Fund is a flagship Welsh Labour Government policy which has had a positive impact on the availability of treatments and medicines in Wrexham and across Wales.”

“Tremendous progress has been made in just a year and I trust the fund will continue to deliver the latest, innovative medicines to patients in future, helping transform their lives for the better.”