The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG) are working together to increase understanding of the services the Institute offers the life sciences industry.
The collaboration is also intended to open up a new channel for the industry to give feedback to NICE to inform any review, monitoring or refinement of its processes.
The partnership will run as a pilot scheme before being fully rolled out, during which NICE’s Scientific Advice arm will work with the trade association to deliver “a range of programmes” that inform EMIG members of its methods and services, and also encourage “open dialogue” before value assessments take place.
“NICE considers it crucial to have a direct line of communication with stakeholders and this collaboration will give us access to more than 270 life sciences companies, institutions and organisations, so they can learn more about how NICE works and to help them understand how to get the most out of their interactions with us,” explained Jeanette Kusel, director of NICE Scientific Advice, a fee-based consultancy service designed to assist to developers of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics.
“We are delighted to be working with NICE on this programme of engagement,” noted EMIG’s chairman Leslie Galloway. “NICE can at times be complex to navigate and opening up a dialogue will serve to dispel myths, prevent common mistakes and smooth the submission process for companies and organisations.”
EMIG members supply 50% of branded medicines, by volume, to the National Health Service.
