Pilot to allow patients access to innovative drugs
By Julie Griffiths, 30 November 2009
A pilot to help patients get new drugs not yet available on the NHS has been launched for consultation by the Government.
The Innovation Pass pilot, which will run for three years, is to be funded from a ringfenced £25m budget in 2010/11.
The pilot will allow patients who have rarer diseases to access innovative new drugs that have not yet been appraised by NICE.
The small number of patients on these drugs means there is a lack evidence so NICE cannot conduct a full assessment for their use on the NHS.
The pilot will allow data to be collected on the impact of these new drugs on patients and their cost effectiveness, helping contribute towards a future NICE appraisal.
The announcement, made by health minister Mike O'Brien and science and innovation minister Lord Drayson on Friday, follows the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) blueprint in July.
This document set out the Government's commitment to create the innovation pass pilot.
Only licensed drugs will be included in the scheme and NICE is to develop the eligibility criteria for the pilot.
All drugs included on the pilot would be submitted for NICE appraisal at the end of the three years.
The consultation will run until 8 February 2010.
Additional Information

Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Salaried GP The Practice plc £75-85k FTE +NHS pension, Ely or Leicester
- Regional Clinical Leads The Practice plc Salary £95-105k FTE + NHS pension, Leicester or Sheffield
- Salaried/Lead GPs Malling Health Competitive, role dependant, NHS Pension and defence fees reimbursed, Nationwide
- SALARIED GP REQUIRED Church Lane Surgery £65,000 to £75,000 pro rate, Romney Marsh, Kent
- General Practitioner - GP - LOCUM OOH Borne Medical £75.00 - £80.00, Swindon
- GP Locum - Essex - £600.00 per day - Maternity Cover - immediate Start - 6 months Agenda Medical Locums £600.00 per Day, Braintree
Most read
Most commented
MIMS Drug Search
Possible searches include drugs (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases and more.







