Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received on reforming of NICE's procedure for appraisal of medicines.

We receive representations about the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) technology appraisal programme from hon. Members, members of the public, clinicians and the pharmaceutical industry.

NICE is the independent body that provides guidance on the prevention and treatment of ill health and the promotion of good health and social care and is responsible for its own processes and methodology.

NICE regularly reviews these and its internationally renowned technology appraisal programme has evolved constantly to meet new challenges. NICE has demonstrated its ability to adapt to changes in the health and care environment, and we expect it will continue to evolve in the future, in particular through the recommendations of the Accelerated Access Review which NICE is centrally involved in.

Further guidance on NICE’s processes of technology appraisal is available at:

www.nice.org.uk/article/pmg19/chapter/Foreword