NICE proposes fast interim appraisal system
A quick appraisal
process has been proposed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for new products that are introduced after full appraisal of earlier related products.
The planned interim appraisal process will take 26 weeks, instead of
the current 14 months for a full appraisal. It will be used for new products
when the planned revision date for guidance that has already been issued
is more than 12 months ahead.
Andrew Dillon, chief executive of NICE, said: “The NHS can be wary
of prescribing treatments that have not been approved by NICE, even if
the drug belongs to the same class of drugs that has already been appraised.
The objective of the interim appraisal will be to establish whether or
not the clinical and cost effectiveness of the new product is broadly
consistent with the recommendations of the original appraisal.”
If NICE concludes that the recommendations of the original appraisal
can apply to the new product, then the NHS in England and Wales will
be required to make the new
treatment available within three months. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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