The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7415 p243
26 August 2006

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NICE implementation examined by ABPI

Aspects of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's processes and the ability of the NHS to implement NICE guidance have been called into question in a recent publication from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

“NICE and access to medicines” (PDF 260K) says that the UK remains one of the slowest countries in Europe to adopt innovative medicines, and that postcode prescribing remains a problem.

The ABPI argues that patients would benefit from the NICE process being more efficient and pragmatic, and suggests that NICE adopts a more interactive and collaborative approach to assessment.

The ABPI goes on to say that NHS organisations continue to delay funding decisions on new medicines until NICE guidance becomes available, denying patients access to many treatments.