NICE could ease QALY to boost innovation
pharmafile | April 30, 2009 | News story | Research and Development | NICE
NICE could be set to dramatically change its cost-effectiveness measure and help boost innovation in the UK, according to Sir David Cooksey.
He said the chair of NICE, Sir Michael Rawlins, had told him it could double its QALY threshold (quality adjusted life year) – which currently stands at £30,000 – to approve more medicines for the NHS that cost twice the amount.
It could help more products gain NICE approval, and give pharma greater return on investment and more incentives to innovate, according to Cooksey, who revealed the potential move at the BioFinance and BioInnovate 2009 conference.
He said: "It is by no means yet a done deal, but it shows people are thinking and moving in the right direction."
Sir David Cooksey, once a venture capitalist in life sciences, has now written two reviews and recommendations for the UK biotech industry to influence government policy.
Addressing the London conference, he showed concern that the country was losing its competitive edge in the global arena due to a lack of incentives to develop new drugs, slow co-operation from the NHS to assist in clinical trials, and the cost mechanisms of NICE.
But Cooksey said the situation around NICE was at least changing. He revealed he had been asked by Sir Michael Rawlins, "Now, have a think David. If we double the QALY, would that help with innovation?"
His response was a resounding "yes."
The timing coincides with a new inquiry into the way NICE values medicines conducted by Sir Ian Kennedy, the former chairman of the Healthcare Commission.
Cooksey also revealed that Rawlins is "encouraging [the biotech industry] to influence Kennedy about how to move innovation up the NICE agenda".
Related stories:
New UK body to fast-track breakthrough research
December 08, 2006
Related Content
Combination treatments: Takeda’s Implementation Framework and the broader landscape
Pharmafile talks to Emma Roffe, Oncology Country Head (UK & Ireland) about the combination treatment …
NICE recommends Pfizer’s new once-weekly treatment for haemophilia B on NHS
Walton Oaks, 21st May 2025 – Pfizer Ltd announced today that the National Institute for Health and Care …
Dual immunotherapy for bowel cancer now available under NHS
Dual immunotherapy, a combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab), has been granted extension in …
