Nine of the world’s biggest pharmaceuticals companies have demanded an overhaul of NHS processes that they claim are damaging the “health of the British public and wealth of the British economy”.
In a joint letter to The Telegraph, the drugs giants, including Pfizer, Sanofi and Novartis, have warned that new and innovative medicines are being blocked from the health service by “overly complicated” approval processes and a heavy emphasis on cost control.
They claim that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body that selects drugs for use in the NHS, has approved “fewer than one-in-three medicines” since 2005.
“Medicines should not just be seen as a cost. They are an investment and an essential part of improving patient outcomes,” the letter says. “[Yet] the proportion of medicines refused by NICE is only increasing.”
Jonathan Emms, UK managing director at Pfizer, said: “Right now NICE is saying 'no' too often. It is blocking many innovative new medicines from reaching the UK patients who need them most, medicines that are often readily available in Europe.”
More on this story here.
Eddie
2 comments:
A subject that will bring out two sides to the argument, two sides to the emotional feeling behind decisions.
In these present times, I would think, cost is the first thing looked at.
If, you are a parent or partner of someone who may be saved by a 'wonder drug' that is still waiting to be approved the emotional side of the argument is understandably very strong.
Of course,if you are a 'faceless body' that sits on the committee that passes or rejects the drug application you look at things in a completely different light.
What is right and what is wrong, will I'm sure be argued, written about for a good deal longer but with probably little difference. In these times where money for health is too tight, I do not think things will change for the better.
Which of course throws other questions into the pot. Are and will these new drugs be effective to a persons health. Are and will these new drugs be cost effective to the nation who through taxes will pay for it one way or another.
Will NICE have the last word. Time will tell.
L B
It's a very difficult situation and always will be.
On one hand we have the pharmaceutical companies trying to expand the market for certain drugs which may be injurious to health,while life-saving drugs are withheld. Cures for certain conditions may be delayed because of the potential mass loss of income.
Just think of the multi+billion mark for diabetes drugs for example?
There are no easy answers.
Governments are not going to take over from the commercial sector..
I would not like to have to take some of those decisions - but someone does......
Kath
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