NICE Reform Plans Aim To Help Make Post-Brexit UK A ‘First-Launch’ Country

HTA Body's Methodology Review Includes Accepting More Uncertainty

Following a Brexit-induced delay over the summer, England's HTA body NICE has come up with a concrete set of proposals that it says will help it “robustly and efficiently” evaluate innovative technologies such as advanced therapies, histology-independent cancer treatments, and technologies for rare diseases. Industry bodies have welcomed the plans, which have just been put out for consultation.

Finger about to press a start button with the word innovation on the left. Composite between an image and a 3D background — NICE wants to ensure its ability to evaluate innovative technologies • Source: Shutterstock

NICE, the health technology assessment body for England, has launched its long-awaited consultation on changes to the methods it uses to assess new technologies such as medicines, medical products and diagnostics in a bid to ensure the methods “remain cutting edge and future proof.”

Life science industry associations have welcomed the proposals, with one group saying the focus on removing significant barriers to access...