The reforming of NICE has been put on hold as the watchdog believes more changes must be wrought to deal with concerns over market access in the UK.

NICE has made the announcement following a key board meeting today which looked at new proposals that could change its current methodology for evaluating new drugs.

Following a three-month consultation triggered by the Department of Health, the Institute says it has decided to ‘undertake further work’ before making changes to the way it appraises new medicines and other technologies for use by the NHS. It has not given a timeline for when this should be completed.

The delay is because NICE and its board could not agree on the many changes needed to overcome major issues around market access, but also how to ascertain the best way forward for ensuring the cost-effectiveness of new drugs whilst getting more new treatments to patients.

NICE says that any changes needs to be made as part of a ‘wider review of the innovation’ as well as the evaluation and adoption of new treatments (including those for cancers).

This it insists, must involve patients; people working in or with the NHS; the life sciences industries and health researchers.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmafile.com/news/194507/nice-reform-put-hold-now