Safeguarding NICE from patient groups’ conflicts of interest

Since its creation, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has committed to including patient and public perspectives to fully capture the value of medicines.1 For example, in their appraisals, which inform funding recommendations for the English NHS, patient groups and their nominated experts provide testimonies of first hand experiences on how a disease affects them and those around them.2 All contributing parties are required to declare any direct or indirect interests. NICE defines an interest as a situation where there is, or could be perceived to be, an opportunity for a person involved with NICE’s work, or their third party associates, to benefit from NICE’s decisions.3 Relevant interests may be constituted by payments received up to 12 months prior to their involvement with NICE from any commercial organisation that might be affected by NICE’s decisions.3Reliance on industry funding can undermine the credibility of patient groups and align…
Read Original Article: Safeguarding NICE from patient groups’ conflicts of interest »