Managing the future of aseptic medicine

With recent projections that more than six million new cancer cases are expected by 2040, the need for aseptic medicines continues to grow. However, a recent House of Lords Public Services Committee on medicines security has suggested that aseptic capacity within the NHS is a significant issue, and that by 2030, 13,000 patients within the NHS will be unable to access the chemotherapy medicines that they need.

Aseptic manufacturing, both within NHS pharmacy units and in the independent sector, delivers intravenous medications including systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), antibiotics, analgesics, and parenteral nutrition. It is estimated that the independent aseptic compounders (IAC) supply up to 50% of all aseptic products in the UK. IAC overall volumes grew by 7.5% in the year April 24/25 vs 23/24 and 11% in the year April 23/24 vs 22/23. SACT, which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy, is particularly fast growing with the IAC reporting a 13% increase in 24/25 vs 23/24 and a 19% increase for 23/24 vs 22/23. 

With an increasing demand for aseptic products comes the need to recruit, train and retain skilled staff. A recent IAC workforce survey found that since 2022, there has been a 358% increase in full time equivalent staff who are directly involved in compounding and associated work. Collectively the sector trains 526 compounding operators and technicians on average per annum, an increase of 57% in three years.

To meet future demand for aseptic medicines, significant investment is needed. The independent aseptic compounders continue to demonstrate their commitment to developing new facilities and expanding workforce, helping to ensure the future resilience of aseptic services to meet patient needs.

You can view IAC workforce and data volume infographics here: BSNA IAC Annual Data factsheet 2025  and  IAC workforce infographic final