The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will lose its current role of directing the National Health Service on the cost-effectiveness of drugs. Its role will be replaced by the new value-based pricing system that will be introduced in January 2014, although NICE is expected to play a part in value-based pricing. This is according to a statement from Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary. NICE will still look at the cost-effectiveness of drugs but it will no longer be able to make decisions. The Department of Health will discuss price negotiations with the pharma industry in the second half of 2012 in the lead up to the change. For now, there is uncertainty with purchasers concerned that drug prices will rise and suppliers worried that they will be squeezed on price.
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