ABPI will not appeal the decision on the judicial review

A new statement has been released based on a decision of the Board of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) that it will not appeal the outcome of its judicial review application versus the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

As stated on the ABPI’s website:

“Following the decision by the Honourable Justice Mrs Elisabeth Laing not to grant the ABPI a judicial review against NICE, the Board of the ABPI has unanimously agreed to accept the decision and will not appeal.

“After months of raising concerns with NICE, NHS England and the Department of Health and offering to work constructively on alternative proposals, the ABPI Board took the exceptional decision in June to apply to the courts to formally challenge new measures introduced by NICE earlier this year for evaluating and funding medicines and other health technologies.

“Our concern has always been that patients should not miss out on medicines which are proven to be both clinically beneficial and cost-effective. Throughout this action the ABPI has maintained positive and constructive dialogue with NICE, the NHS and Government and we are encouraged that the issues are now better understood.

“Working in partnership with industry, government and the NHS we must now focus on finding real, workable solutions to help NHS patients get fast access to the medicines they need.

“The positive reception by government to the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy recommendations is a good start and we now look forward to seeing them fully implemented. This is best achieved through agreeing a strong sector deal that both improves access to new medicines and ensures the UK remains a successful place to research and develop medicines."