Health condition
Compassionate access schemes
When a promising drug is not yet licensed or funded, UK routes exist to reach it: the Early Access to Medicines Scheme, company compassionate-use programmes, individual funding requests and the Cancer Drugs Fund each work differently.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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EAMS provides pre-licence access to medicines the regulator deems promising
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Company compassionate-use programmes are applied for by your consultant, not by patients directly
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Individual Funding Requests (IFRs) argue exceptional clinical circumstances to NHS commissioners
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The Cancer Drugs Fund covers promising licensed drugs while further evidence accumulates
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Between a drug’s scientific promise and its routine NHS availability stretches a gap of months to years, and several bridges cross it. The Early Access to Medicines Scheme flags selected unlicensed medicines as promising and lets clinicians prescribe them, generally with the company supplying free of charge. Separately, manufacturers run compassionate-use or expanded-access programmes for named patients, typically where trials are closed to them and no alternative exists - initiated and managed entirely by your treating team.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Within the NHS, an Individual Funding Request can seek funding where your circumstances are genuinely exceptional compared with others with the same condition, while the Cancer Drugs Fund and its interim-access arrangements cover newly licensed cancer medicines under evaluation. None of these routes is quick or guaranteed, and eligibility turns on specifics - which is why the productive step is a direct conversation with your oncologist about whether any apply, and a request that plausible ones be pursued in writing. If you are waiting for results or want a second opinion on a proposed plan, a private consultation with a specialist who treats this condition regularly can usually be arranged quickly, and most will review your existing scans, biopsy reports and MDT correspondence.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant oncologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Compassionate access schemes.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What are compassionate access schemes?
Compassionate access schemes (sometimes called expanded access or early access programmes) allow patients with serious or life-threatening conditions to access a medication that is not yet fully licensed or routinely available, typically when standard treatment options have been exhausted and the medication has shown promise in clinical trials. These schemes provide a route to potentially beneficial treatments outside of standard clinical trial or routine prescribing pathways. Access is generally considered on a case-by-case basis rather than being automatically available.
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Who is eligible for compassionate access?
Eligibility typically requires having a serious or life-threatening condition for which standard treatment options have been tried and are no longer effective or suitable, alongside evidence suggesting the requested medication may provide meaningful benefit based on available clinical trial data. Specific eligibility criteria vary depending on the individual scheme and the particular medication involved. Your specialist consultant is generally best placed to assess and pursue this on your behalf if appropriate.
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How is a request for compassionate access made?
Requests are typically made by your treating specialist consultant, who applies to the pharmaceutical company (which ultimately decides whether to grant access) and, depending on the country and specific medication, sometimes also to relevant regulatory bodies. The process usually requires detailed clinical information supporting why the treatment is considered appropriate for you specifically. This process can take time, so it's worth discussing this option with your specialist as early as reasonably possible if you think it may be relevant.
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Are there risks to compassionate access treatment?
Yes, since the medication is not yet fully licensed or may have limited safety and efficacy data compared with established treatments, there can be risks or side effects that are not yet fully understood or documented. You will typically be closely monitored during compassionate access treatment given this reduced level of established evidence compared with fully approved medications. A detailed discussion of the specific known risks and evidence with your specialist is an essential part of deciding whether to pursue this option.
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Is compassionate access guaranteed if I request it?
No, compassionate access is not guaranteed, since the pharmaceutical company ultimately decides whether to grant access based on various factors including supply, ongoing trial obligations, and their own internal criteria, and requests can be declined even when clinically reasonable. This can be an understandably frustrating aspect of the process for patients and families. Your specialist can advise on the realistic likelihood of success for a specific request based on their experience and knowledge of the particular scheme.
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When should I discuss this option with my doctor?
If standard treatment options for your condition have been exhausted or are not suitable, and you're aware of a promising treatment not yet routinely available, discuss this with your specialist consultant, who can advise on whether compassionate access might be a realistic option. A private specialist consultation can be arranged within about 2 weeks if you want a dedicated discussion about this option and how to pursue it.