title: The role of national agencies in the managed introduction of new drugs for arthritis.
abstract: The role of the various agencies involved in the managed introduction of new drugs in the United Kingdom is discussed, particularly with regard to the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The process by which the National Health Service in the UK identifies key new drug technologies of major clinical, financial and service significance is discussed. This includes the decision making process for selection of products for appraisal by NICE. The appraisal procedure and the impact of NICE guidance for the NHS will, it is hoped, encourage quality in clinical practice. All healthcare systems face budgetary constraints and the introduction of new technologies bring particular challenges. The launch of the new biological agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, into a speciality where previously relatively inexpensive agents were prescribed, raises questions concerning managed introduction and reimbursement.
authors.affiliation: National Prescribing Centre, 70 Pembroke Place, Liverpool L69 3GF, UK. katrina.simister@liverpool-ha.nhs.uk
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simister
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents