BIVDA welcomes NICE Five Year Plan

BIVDA, the trade association for British IVD companies,  has welcomed the publication of NICE’s five year strategy document. The document runs from 2021 to 2026 and is designed to ensure the organisation remains “excellent”, more dynamic and more collaborative in their work. According to NICE,  the plan puts science and evidence at the heart of health and care decision making, while keeping ahead of the challenges of a rapidly changing world.  External stakeholders including key opinion leaders, patient groups and partner organisations in healthcare and care were consulted as part of the document’s elaboration.

COVID-19 has highlighted the need for accelerating access to new and effective treatments, practices and technologies. Real-world data must be integrated into evaluation processes in order to improve decision-making.  Further focus on diagnostic innovation is mentioned, as NICE seeks to extend technological innovation past only traditional drugs and medical devices. NICE guidance is to be embedded in partners’ regulation monitoring and improvement frameworks.

Commenting on the document, BIVDA Chief Executive Doris-Ann Williams said;

“NICE plays a vital role in ensuring high standards and safety and we welcome the plans to extend technological innovation to diagnostics over and above the traditional focus on drugs and medical devices. A dynamic, thriving diagnostic sector is vital to the recovery of the NHS post-pandemic. We look forward to working with NICE on the rollout of the strategy.”

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