Equality and Human Rights Consultation - NICE HST 2 - Elosulfase Alfa for Treating Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVa

Summary

NICE guidance is designed and developed for the NHS in England and is therefore not automatically applicable to Northern Ireland. On 1 July 2006 the Department established links with NICE whereby all technology appraisals and clinical guidelines published from that date are locally reviewed for applicability to Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, are endorsed for implementation in health and social care. THE LOCAL REVIEW DOES NOT REASSESS THE CLINICAL AND COST EVIDENCE USED BY NICE IN FORMING ITS ADVICE. This link has ensured that Northern Ireland has access to up-to-date, independent, professional, evidence-based guidance on the value of health care interventions.

Highly specialised technology (HST) evaluations are recommendations on the use of new and existing highly specialised medicines and treatments within the NHS. The NICE highly specialised technologies programme only considers drugs for very rare conditions. The Department recently agreed to consider NICE HST evaluations in the same way as the process set out for Technology Appraisals.