ABPI expresses concerns over CEMIPP recommendations

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has expressed concern over the recent recommendations set out in the consultation on the Cost-effectiveness Methodology for Immunisation Programmes and Procurement (CEMIPP), which it states will negatively affect the nation’s health.

Back in 2014, the CEMIPP group was set up by the government at the request of the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to review the appraisal methods for the cost effectiveness of vaccination programmes. Its 2016 report — agreed to be published by the government by the end of that year — has only just been published earlier this month (February 2018). And, a view from the JVCI — which was requested to be provided prior to the CEMIPP report — was received at the end of January this year (2018).

Within the CEMIPP report is the recommendation that the threshold for cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme be lowered from £20,000 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) to £15,000 per QALY. As multiple concerns have been raised surrounding these recommendations from the pharmaceutical industry, charities and parliamentary committees, a consultation has been launched and is set to close on 21 May 2018.

Dr Paul Catchpole, value & access director at the ABPI, said: “The UK currently has a world-leading immunisation programme so it is profoundly concerning that proposals to introduce stricter hurdles for one of the most effective public health interventions available to us are even being considered.”

The ABPI reports that it welcomes the commitment to a public consultation on the recommendations of the report. “We will review the report in detail over the coming days before making a detailed response. It is vital that the views of a wide range of stakeholders are fully considered before a decision is made on whether the recommendations set out in the CEMIPP report should be implemented.”