Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of patient involvement in the NICE process for evaluating and approving new medicines and treatment; and whether there are plans under the ongoing Methods Review to adjust that level of involvement.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is therefore responsible for its own methods and processes for evaluations and approving new medicines and treatments. Consultee organisations for NICE’s technology appraisals include national groups representing patients and carers.

NICE has had patient involvement throughout its methods and process review, including a specific workstream led by patient representatives and senior NICE staff. Patient groups are also represented on its Methods Review Working Group.