Joint statement: NICE and SMC/HIS collaboration

NICE and SMC/HIS collaboration on the health technology appraisal of tixagevimab–cilgavimab (Evusheld) for preventing COVID-19

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic NICE and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) have collaborated with other partners to ensure rapid access to medicines for COVID-19 through the Research to access pathway for investigational drugs for COVID-19 (RAPID C-19) initiative.

NICE and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC, as part of HIS) previously announced details of their collaboration on a Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA) of treatments for COVID-19. This was to ensure continued alignment of guidance on therapies for COVID-19 in all parts of the UK

NICE and the SMC have agreed to maintain this collaboration for the health technology appraisal of tixagevimab–cilgavimab (Evusheld) for preventing COVID-19. NICE Technology Appraisal guidance is implemented in Wales and there is an established processes for endorsing NICE Technology Appraisal guidance for implementation in Northern Ireland.

As in the MTA, the SMC will input directly into the health technology appraisal so that the conclusions will also be relevant to the NHS in Scotland. NICE and the SMC will produce separate guidance and advice documents, but the recommendations will be aligned. The usual obligations for complying with technology appraisal recommendations will apply to healthcare commissioners in England. In Scotland, the advice will have the same status for health board consideration as other SMC advice on new medicines.

NICE and the SMC will continue to work together on any updates to the guidance after publication.