Commissioners will face tough penalties if they choose to ignore NICE guidance under a new Compliance Regime released by the Department of Health.
The DH report Innovation, Health and Wealth said there is “considerable variation” in the implementation of NICE-approved drugs throughout the UK.
In a bid to ensure “rapid and consistent implementation” of NICE guidance, a NICE Compliance Regime will be introduced.
Commissioners will face tough penalties if they choose to ignore NICE guidance under a new Compliance Regime released by the Department of Health.
The DH report Innovation, Health and Wealth said there is “considerable variation” in the implementation of NICE-approved drugs throughout the UK.
In a bid to ensure “rapid and consistent implementation” of NICE guidance, a NICE Compliance Regime will be introduced.
“We are committed to ensuring that NHS patients have access to clinically and cost-effective drugs and technologies, and that NICE appraisal guidance is promptly delivered throughout the NHS,” said the report.
“There should be no local barriers to accessing technologies recommended in NICE appraisals, beyond a clinical decision relating to an individual patient.”
The DH also pledged to develop and publish a “straightforward innovation scorecard” to track adoption of NICE Technology Appraisals at a local level.
The establishment of a NICE Implementation Collaboration (NIC) will bring together a number of NHS bodies including the NHS Commissioning Board, the Clinical Commissioning Coalition and the Royal Colleges to develop implementation guidance.
It is said the NIC will also have an “important role” in supporting QIPP delivery.
