The Scottish government says Scotland’s new Minister for Community Care, Alison Thewliss will take over responsibility for Scotland’s new National Pharmaceutical Agency. But, in response to an MSP who asked for details of what the new body will do, Ms Thewliss admitted that no work to develop the long-promised organisation has been taken forward since early last year.

The National Pharmaceutical Agency was listed amongst Ms Thewliss’ portfolio responsibilities on the Scottish government website following her appointment, triggering speculation that work on the new body is to go ahead.

Then, a few days ago, the webpage was updated to remove mention of the agency, alongside her oversight of Pharmacy First.

The creation of the National Pharmaceutical Agency (NPhA) was an SNP manifesto promise ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election, and then in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s 2021 Programme for Government which stated:

‘To secure safe, high-quality and cost-effective medicines, we will create a new NHS National Pharmaceutical Agency by 2025.’

The Programme for Government document stated that preparatory work would begin that year to look at ‘expanding manufacturing capabilities for both generic medicines and medicines that are specially manufactured to meet the needs of individual patients, and supporting investment in research and development to bring new medicines and jobs to Scotland’.

In October of 2022, in response to a freedom of information request, the Scottish government said the new agency would create an integrated medicines ecosystem of the pharmaceutical industry, NHS Scotland and universities to support research and innovation and improve access to clinical trials.

At that time the government explained:

‘The NPhA also can assist in securing safe and high-quality medicines, at the most cost-effective price possible. Where necessary, this may include establishing expanded manufacturing capabilities for both generic medicines and ‘specials,’ something already done on a small scale in NHS Tayside.’

But at the beginning of 2025, the government told MSPs that, while initial scoping work had taken place, work to establish the agency had been ‘paused due to resource constraints’.

In response to the mention of the agency in Ms Thewliss’ list of responsibilities, Reform UK MSP, Graham Simpson, a leading member of Holyrood’s Cross-Party Group on Life Sciences, asked in a written question for an update.

In her answer, Ms Thewliss simply pointed him to the statement made in February 2025.

Leading on life sciences

Mr Simpson also asked the Scottish government which minister is now responsible for life sciences.

Oversight of the sector had been listed previously as a specific part of Richard Lochhead’s portfolio when he was business minister in the last government, but is not mentioned, in its own right, by this government.

In his written answer, Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, assured Mr Simpson:

‘I have overall responsibility for Life Sciences policy and delivery, as part of my wider remit for economic policy, including business, industry, manufacturing support and entrepreneurship.’

He added:

‘The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Life Sciences sector as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and improved health outcomes, as reflected in Scotland’s Life Sciences Strategy and its associated delivery plan.’

In response to questions from Graham Simpson on the work being done to take forward the Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland 2035 Vision, Stephen Flynn said the process of commissioning an organisation to set and run a new cluster development organisation for the sector is underway, with its exact role and remit ‘expected to evolve over time’.

 

Read more: Health and care ministers’ portfolios revealed; Patients benefiting from clinical trials progress; Scottish life sciences to be £25bn sector

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