Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
The following frequently asked questions have been developed as a result of queries received by the NPC new medicines scheme team.What is the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) New Medicines Scheme?
The NPC New Medicines Scheme is a collaboration between the NPC and partner Medicines Information (MI) centres. It aims to provide evaluated and balanced advance information to key NHS personnel to assist the managed and timely introduction of specific new medicines, including major new indications for existing products and major new formulations.
What are the benefits of the New Medicines Scheme?
It provides a non-directive, high quality, balanced summary of information relating to specific new medicines. As information is provided ahead of launch, this informs future planning and enables local decisions to be made based on the best available evidence. The important role that the Scheme plays, within the overall support delivered to the NHS on managing new technologies both effectively and more equitably, has been recognised recently in a statement from the Department of Health:
The Department of Health has actively encouraged the National Prescribing Centre to build on its well established programme of information bulletins to the NHS about new medicines. It is important that NHS bodies have access to well-sourced information on which to base their decisions about use of medicines, especially during any period before NICE issues their definitive guidance on a topic. The Department recommends these bulletins as a source of authoritative information for PCTs and their partner NHS organisations. Clinical and Cost Effectiveness Branch, July 2004.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has also recognised the value of the Scheme and has invited its members to co-operate proactively with the NPC in the development and delivery of information bulletins.
How is the advance information provided?
On the Horizon Future Medicines. This bulletin is produced in conjunction with either Wessex or Newcastle MI centres and covers new medicines that are either not going to be appraised by NICE, or are not going to be appraised within 46 months of market launch. This bulletin will be issued around six months ahead of the anticipated launch date.
On the Horizon Rapid Review. This bulletin serves as an update to selected On the Horizon Future Medicines bulletins and is published around two months after the launch of the new medicine.
The NPC is also separately involved with the development and issue of a New Drugs in Clinical Development bulletin. This is produced in conjunction with a UK Medicines Information (UKMI) consortium and covers new medicines that are earmarked for appraisal by NICE at or around the time of their anticipated market launch. This bulletin will be issued by the New Medicines Scheme some 12 months ahead of the anticipated launch date.
All these bulletins are produced as hard copies and are also made available, under password protection, on the NPC and UKMI websites.
What advance information does the NPC New Medicines Scheme provide?
The bulletins aim to provide information on the drug action, proposed indication and likely date of introduction of the medicine, proposed cost, efficacy, safety, treatment alternatives, current drug usage, and the estimated impact for the NHS. Much of this information is disclosed to the NPC at the discretion of the company.
Where it is appropriate for an update to be provided after launch of a new medicine covered by the Scheme, post-launch information will include the price of the new medicine and relevant additional efficacy, safety and service impact data.
How do I register for an alert
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How do I obtain a copy of an On the Horizon ( through general publications)
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The explanation of why some bulletins are only accessible via NHSnet.
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