Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the appropriateness of introducing the £100,000 quality adjusted life year threshold for evaluating highly specialised technologies.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) methods for the development of highly specialised technology (HST) guidance do not currently require the calculation of a cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).

A final decision on whether it is appropriate to implement the proposed threshold for HST evaluations will be taken in light of the comments received in response to the recent consultation.

The proposed fast-track technology appraisal process would not affect the timescales for appraisals of technologies that are considered through the standard technology appraisal process. Wherever possible, NICE would continue to aim to publish draft guidance on new drugs and significant license extensions for existing drugs appraised through the standard technology appraisal programme within six months of the product receiving its marketing authorisation in the United Kingdom.