NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) reviews technology appraisal guidance for companies
This article was originally published in Clinica
The UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its technology appraisal submissions guidance for manufacturers and sponsors, ahead of new guidance due to be implemented in October.
In the first round of the consultation exercise, NICE sent questionnaires to individuals and organisations that have submitted or appraised NICE submissions. Academic experts in the UK and abroad, including statisticians/epidemiologists, economists, health technology assessment professionals, representatives from industry and the NHS and other government departments were also canvassed. The deadline for the return of the questionnaires is August 18.
The second round of the consultation will begin in late August or early September on the new draft guidelines developed from the previous responses. The final draft is due to be issued in September and, subject to a final committee review, the revised guidance will be submitted to the board of NICE for implementation and dissemination in October.
NICE will consider technology appraisal guidance issued in other countries as it drafts its own revised guidance.
This year, NICE is committed to completing 23 appraisals and issuing 10 sets of guidelines. Under the recently announced NHS plan, these figures will be doubled and its budget increased by £2 million ($2.98 million).
NICE has set out its objectives in its newly published corporate plan 2000-2003. The document addresses a number of areas in which NICE might make important contributions, such as the extension of the appraisal programme to ensure greater integration between prevention and treatment policies.
A closer working relationship with the National Screening Committee (NSC) is one such objective. The institute suggests that "greater coherence might be achieved by subsuming the functions of the NSC within the institute".
Given that NICE advises on NHS policy in England and Wales only, while the NSC advises on policy for all of the UK, any such development would be subject to a new arrangement that also satisfied the requirements of both Scotland and Northern Ireland. NICE believes that such a collaboration would not pose insuperable difficulties.
While on a broader level, NICE wishes to work more closely with its Scottish counterparts - the Health Technology Assessment Board and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network - the institute's possible role in Northern Ireland is uncertain and subject to the outcome of ongoing discussions.
For more information see: www.nice.org.uk