Innovation Pass set to boost UK biotech industry
The UK\'s BioIndustry Association has welcomed the launch by the UK\'s Department of Health of a 10-week consultation over plans to create an \'Innovation Pass\' that would allow patients with rarer diseases access to new drugs on the NHS before they have been approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), and where there is limited data on their effectiveness.
The UK's BioIndustry Association has welcomed the launch by the UK's Department of Health of a 10-week consultation over plans to create an 'Innovation Pass' that would allow patients with rarer diseases access to new drugs on the NHS before they have been approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), and where there is limited data on their effectiveness.
"The Innovation Pass also signals to the investment community that the government understands and supports the innovative life science sector in the UK," said Clive Dix, chairman of the BioIndustry Association.
"We have been working closely with the Office of Life Sciences to bring about the successful introduction of the Innovation Pass as part of a package of measures designed to ensure the future sustainability of the UK life sciences sector."
During the three-year pilot, the Innovation Pass will allow drug companies to collect meaningful clinical data on the impact of these new drugs on patients and their cost-effectiveness before NICE carries out its assessment.
"Where there is a high risk that a NICE appraisal of a new treatment at the point of its first use in the NHS might underestimate its benefits, providing the opportunity to gather more evidence and making the treatment available before undertaking an appraisal is the right thing to do," said NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon.
The scheme will receive ring-fenced funding of £25m in 2010/11. Funding for future years will be discussed in the consultation. All drugs included on the pilot will be submitted for NICE appraisal at the end of the three years.
According to Health Minister Mike O'Brien, the scheme will help patients with the greatest need to benefit from and get access to "exciting new innovative drugs".
The Innovation Pass pilot will also help collect the essential data needed to demonstrate that such drugs are making a big difference to these patients, he added.