NICE HTA methods evaluation: Summary of the updated guidance

The final changes published as part of the NICE methods review in January this year, including the topic selection manual and the updated HST routing criteria, will come into effect from 1^st February 2022 for new evaluations. All selection and routing decisions will be applied prospectively to topics from this date forwards. The changes will give patients earlier access to innovative new treatments by allowing greater flexibility over decisions about value for money and consideration of a broader evidence base. Furthermore, the NICE has said that the changes will enable them to continue to lead the way in rapid, independent health technology assessments.

Key updates within the NICE methods evaluation 2022

*Absolute QALY shortfall is the future health lost as a result of living with a disease or condition, compared with the expected future health without the illness

**Proportional QALY shortfall represents the proportion of future health, including quality and length of life, that is lost because of the condition

Table 1. Criteria for the allocation of QALY weights within the updated NICE methods guidance

Abbreviations. CE: Cost-Effectiveness; HST: Highly Specialised Technologies; HTA: Health Technology Assessment; NHS: National Health Service; NICE: National Institute of Health and Care Excellence; RCT: Randomised Controlled Trial; RWE: Real World Evidence; SoC: Standard of Care; QALY: Quality Adjusted Life Year

Article published 2 February 2022.