To be fair in the UK it's more normal for the NDB to be on the airfield, so at least the error diminishes as you get closer to the runway. (NDB is then also MAPt.) NDB is still IAF (and hold) with a teardrop course reversal or extended racetrack with DME or timing for the FAF.
NDBs on the approach like that have mostly disappeared though I know they are common elsewhere.