Accelerating Access to Medical Technologies: An Overview of the NICE Early Value Assessment Pilot Project in the UK

Author(s)

So D1, Hearne E1, Stapleton N1, Chang-Douglass S2
1Evidera, London, London, UK, 2Evidera, St Albans, UK

OBJECTIVES: In June 2022, the UK NICE began its Early Value Assessment (EVA) pilot project to accelerate the assessment of medical technologies (MedTech). MedTech includes all digital health technologies, such as therapies and systems, that can improve patient health or increase healthcare capacity. The objective of EVA is to enable patients and the NHS to benefit from using promising MedTech while further research is conducted. Our research aims to provide an overview of the EVA methods and published Health Technology Evaluations (HTEs) to date.

METHODS: Published materials on NICE EVA were analysed, including the interim process and methods statement, published HTEs and upcoming assessments.

RESULTS: MedTech that meet the appropriate regulatory requirements, address an unmet need and are currently being used or planned for use in the NHS are eligible for EVA. As of 26 June 2023, seven EVA HTEs were published (three on digital therapies for mental health, two on diagnostics to improve prescribing, one cardiac risk prediction tool and one data management system) and eight were in or awaiting development. Fifteen of 37 technologies (40.5%) assessed across seven HTEs were conditionally recommended for use while further evidence is being generated. Eleven technologies (29.7%) were recommended for use in research only and seven (18.9%) were not recommended. The remaining four technologies did not have regulatory approval at the time of assessment and did not receive a recommendation. The average duration from launch to guidance publication was 8.2 months (range: 6.7, 9.5).

CONCLUSIONS: Use of digital technologies in healthcare is becoming more common, and the number of MedTech HTAs is expected to increase accordingly. Seven EVA HTEs have been successfully published by NICE to date, facilitating quicker patient and healthcare provider access to new MedTech. Further HTEs for MedTech in treatment planning, diagnostics and digital therapies are expected in 2023.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2023-11, ISPOR Europe 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark

Value in Health, Volume 26, Issue 11, S2 (December 2023)

Code

HTA186

Topic

Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Technology Assessment, Medical Technologies

Topic Subcategory

Reimbursement & Access Policy, Systems & Structure

Disease

Medical Devices, Mental Health (including addition)

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