NICE Methods Review: BIA response to consultation on NICE processes of health technology evaluation

The BIA has responded to a consultation on NICE's review of its process for health technology evaluation - as part of the wider Methods and Process review. The four main themes for this consultation are:

• Theme 1: Alignment of the current guidance processes 
• Theme 2: Opportunities for new process improvements and ways of working 
• Theme 3: Commercial and Managed Access Processes 
• Theme 4: Objectives and vision of the Highly Specialised Technologies programme

While there is much to be commended in this review - including an increased focus on ensuring patient engagement - there are areas of concern. The proposals for the HST programme are particularly concerning and we are calling for NICE to revisit its proposals to ensure that they help support patient access to rare disease medicines.