ABPI response to NICE fast track appraisal process

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is piloting a new cost-comparator appraisal process this summer for the review of selected low-risk appraisals.

This is part of their work on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. NICE has been working hard to find new ways to publish guidance affected by the work programme pause in 2020, while also delivering the planned programme for 2021.

In response, Victoria Barrett, Head of HTA & Market Access Policy at the ABPI, said:

“This new approach to ensure some NICE decisions are made in a more efficient way is good news, especially for the patients that stand to benefit. It is important that NICE and its committees have sufficient capacity to issue timely guidance to the NHS, and this is one way to help, given the success of the pilot exercise.”