NICE promises faster access to treatments
Proposed changes to the way NICE appraises new treatments could see patients benefiting from the most cost effective treatments nearly three months faster than is currently the case.
The proposals, which are part of a joint consultation by NICE and NHS England, would see the introduction of a fast track option for appraising technologies which offer exceptional value for money.
This would mean treatments that have a likely cost per QALY (quality adjusted life year) of up to £10,000 would be dealt with more quickly under a lighter touch process.