New fast-track drug approvals system announced by NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is introducing a new fast-track drug approvals system as part of a series of changes to its evaluations system.

Under the new fast-track system, treatments that offer exceptional value for money will be available to patients a month after they are licensed, with this process to be expanded to include a wider group of treatments – including medical devices and diagnostics – over the next two years.

Additionally, a budget impact test for expensive drugs will be implemented that will ensure that manufacturers work with NHS England to mitigate their cost impact, or have the drug introduced in a phased manner.

Finally, drugs for very rare diseases are to be evaluated against a sliding scale moving forward, with medicines that cost more needing to demonstrate a greater health benefit in order to be approved for routine NHS use by NICE.

Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE's chief executive, said: "We believe these and the other changes that have now been approved will enhance our ability to optimise access to innovative treatments in the light of the significant financial challenge facing the NHS."

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