The introduction of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK in April 2000 has been spearheading the roll-out of reimbursement guidelines in Western Europe. NICE has been a seminal initiative for evidence-based medicine and value-for-money assessments. NICE guidance has important impact on product use and uptake in England and Wales and is now looked upon across Europe.
In 2002, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) was in operation to provide advice to the NHS in Scotland about newly licensed medicines, new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. The SMC Process requires pharmaceutical companies to complete a submission to support the clinical and economic case for the drug.
The IMS Health Economics and Outcomes Research team has conducted numerous submissions to these bodies and has been able to bring out unique reimbursement experience to the UK setting. In addition, we have also worked with other regulatory bodies throughout Europe including countries like France, Belgium, Germany and Finland. We have particular experience in reimbursement studies in Spain. This also includes projects done with or for regional health authorities.