British Industry Group Won’t Appeal Court’s Rejection of Judicial Review in NICE Case

Rare Daily Staff

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said it would not appeal an administrative court ruling that denied the industry group’s application for judicial review against NICE, the government drug watchdog, over new policies for evaluating and funding medicines.

“Our concern has always been that patients should not miss out on medicines which are proven to be both clinically beneficial and cost-effective,” the APBI said in a prepared statement. “Throughout this action the ABPI has maintained positive and constructive dialogue with NICE, the NHS and Government and we are encouraged that the issues are now better understood.  Working in partnership with industry, government, and the NHS, we must now focus on finding real, workable solutions to help NHS patients get fast access to the medicines they need.”

APBI had sought judicial review after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or NICE, introduced a new negotiation process for medicines that have been deemed cost-effective if they are likely to cost the National Health Service more than $26.3 million (£20 million) in the first three years of use. This new policy introduces an additional requirement for drug companies and is expected to be applied to one in five new medicines.

The industry group also sought to reverse changes to the assessment of medicines for very rare diseases, which it considered “inappropriate and unworkable.” It said the new procedures have the potential to cause significant delays for patients waiting for treatment for a range of conditions, including for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. 

“These new arrangements will delay access to cost-effective medicines and deny treatments to patients suffering from rare diseases,” Mike Thompson, ABPI chief executive when the group announced its effort to seek judicial review.

October 5, 2017