Knutsford Medical Partnership

Make the switch – smarter spending for your NHS 

If you take NHS-prescribed medication, your NHS team may speak to you about switching to another version of your medicine.  

Across the NHS, huge numbers of patients have been successfully switched medications, to treat a variety of conditions. 

Why might we switch medicines? 

Making NHS money go further 

The NHS is responsible for using public funds in the most effective and sustainable way possible. Switching to more cost-effective versions of medicines allows the NHS to make substantial savings, which can be reinvested into other services and new treatments.  

Better treatment for patients 

Sometimes new research or national guidance may reveal that a different medicine or formulation is more effective, or safer, for treating a specific health condition, so switching medicines can support better treatment and fewer side effects. 

Timely treatment 

Prescribing different versions of medicines is a key part of making sure resources are available for more patients. If there are manufacturing or supply chain problems for a particular medicine, switching to a different version of the same medication ensures that patients get the treatment they need, when they need it.  

Switching medicines is always done with patient safety and wellbeing as a priority, while also supporting the NHS to provide the best service it can.  

Find out more – visit: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/MakeTheSwitch