What is your view on charging for technology appraisals?
A consultation has opened into whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) should start charging companies for technology appraisals.
NICE appraisals have been conducted free of charge up until now but the idea of taking payment from pharma was first floated in NICE’s business plan of spring 2016.
The government’s preferred option is to introduce charges with a discount and instalment plan for smaller companies.
The make-up of the technology appraisals appeals panel is also under scrutiny. At present NICE engages only providers from England. The government is looking at changing the regulations so that NICE can draw panellists from a UK-wide pool.
The consultation, which opened on 10 August, will close on 14 September.
Further information
Gov.uk: NICE recommendations: charging and appeal panels
Department of Health and Social Care: Charging for technology appraisal and highly specialised technology recommendations and miscellaneous amendments to NICE legislation