NICE aims to improve communications with UK life sciences

NICE has announced a collaboration with an organisation representing UK life sciences, to improve communications between the cost-effectiveness body and industry.

The Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG) represents life sciences companies in the UK.

The collaboration will help foster a greater understanding of the services NICE offers the life sciences industry in its interactions with and submissions to the organisation.

It aims to bridge any gaps in knowledge about NICE and will also provide a forum for industry to give feedback to NICE to inform any review, monitoring or refinement of its processes.

During the first year of the agreement, NICE will work with EMIG to deliver a range of programmes to inform EMIG members on NICE methods and services and to encourage open dialogue prior to NICE’s assessments. Year one is a pilot ahead of potentially developing the collaboration thereafter.

As part of the collaboration NICE will present at EMIG member meetings to deliver educational initiatives such as bespoke webinars on topics identified by industry/EMIG members. It will give NICE the opportunity to promote the services of NICE Scientific Advice, the Office of Market Access and other NICE departments. NICE will also work with EMIG to host multi-company NICE visits.

Leslie Galloway, chair of EMIG said: “We are delighted to be working with NICE on this programme of engagement. 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.”

Jeanette Kusel, director of NICE Scientific Advice, said: “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.”