UK’s NICE launches Office for Market Access for faster development of drugs

With OMA, the commercial stakeholders can collaborate more closely with NICE for general enquiries relating to adoption of new drugs, devices and diagnostics by the National Health Service (NHS).

The team will offer tailored support, helping stakeholders to identify the most appropriate journey for their products within NICE, which is responsible for measuring the cost-effectiveness and determining the cost that the government will pay for a product.

Originally announced in a proposal that was approved by NICE’s board of directors in May, OMA is also able to offer new insight into its processes and the principles of technology assessment.

NICE health technology evaluation centre director professor Carole Longson said: "It will speed up the adoption of innovative and cost effective health technologies by helping companies to get the right evidence, develop a better business case and engage with the right people.

"OMA will help to deliver the outcomes of the government’s Accelerated Access Review which is intended to clear a path through the regulatory landscape for technology developers to get effective and innovative technologies to patients faster."

Additionally, the office is expected to help NICE tackle multiple issues, including a lack of visibility in its engagement and outreach functions.

In recent years, adoption of new health technologies got quicker with the launch of new regulatory pathways such as the UK’s Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) and EMA’s conditional marketing authorization and adaptive pathways pilot project.

Image: The Office for Market Access will help to speed up the adoption of new medicines, devices and diagnostics by the UK’s National Health Service. Photo: courtesy of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.