In response to the challenges associated with discovering, developing and bringing new antimicrobial drugs to market, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) developed a project to create a world-first pull incentive. Yesterday,  the project leapt forward as NICE published the draft guidance for cefiderocol and ceftazidime with avibactam.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to our way of life. At the moment, it kills over 700,000 people each year globally (O’Neill 2016). However, it is the future threat that is truly existential: some estimates suggest that as many as 50 million people could die due to AMR each year by 2050 (O’Neill 2016). Innovation and development are the key to preventing this catastrophe.

The Health and Care Bill has now been considered by both Houses of Parliament and the final stage is for the Commons to consider later this month the amendments which have been made in the Lords.

This February is an important month for those working in rare diseases. Apart from Rare Disease Day on the 28th of February, there have been other policy announcements and consultations which will impact patients and Market Access.

The Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF) is supposed to enable quicker patient access to promising and innovative technologies. Will it live up to its aspirations?

The Health and Care Bill went through Report Stage in the House of Commons on 22 November. This article provides a Q&A update on the debates that took place.

Everyone and anyone working in market access, health economics and outcomes research and, in policy and public affairs is currently watching developments with the draft NICE Manual.

The Health and Care Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 14 July and is expected to become law in early 2022. This article explains the main purposes of the Bill and the potential implications for the life sciences industry.

The consultation of NICE methods in November 2020 was the first reassessment since 2013 and was widely welcomed. In February 2021, NICE began a review of the health technology evaluation processes. This article examines key issues related to each review and MAP’s response.

The conclusion of the Northern Ireland Protocol will have a direct effect on the life science industry who have current or potential sales to Northern Ireland.This article gives an overview of the Protocol and answers some of the key questions that have arisen in recent weeks.