NICE News

Updates to managing COVID-19 guideline

We have added a new recommendation to our rapid guideline on managing COVID-19 on neutralising monoclonal antibodies for people with COVID-19 who are not in hospital.

First gene therapy for rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder in children

We've published draft guidance recommending gene therapy atidarsagene autotemcel as a one-off treatment for some children with the rare, life-limiting neurodegenerative condition metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Clinical evidence suggests that atidarsagene autotemcel improves motor and cognitive function in the short term and could correct the enzyme deficiency caused by the disease. It is thought there are around 5 children born each year in England with MLD. Costing around £2.8 million at its list price, this one-off treatment is the most expensive drug NICE has ever evaluated. 

Improving outcomes for cardiovascular disease (CVD)

The Accelerated Access Collaborative’s (AAC) lipid management rapid uptake product working group aims to remove barriers to the uptake of 3 NICE recommended lipid-lowering therapies:

• high intensity statins
• ezetimibe
• PCSK9 inhibitors.

• summary of national guidance for lipid management for primary and secondary prevention of CVD
• statin intolerance pathway.

The AAC has also produced a slide deck updating on their progress. This includes a list of resources (Slide 4) to help improve patient lipid management outcomes.

Comment on a consultation

Our current consultations include:

• Self harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Adrenal insufficiency: acute and long-term management
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis in children and young people
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Regional nerve graft to restore corneal sensation
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Biodegradable spacer insertion to reduce rectal toxicity during radiotherapy for prostate cancer
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 1 March 2022.
• Menopause: diagnosis and management
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 8 March 2022.
• Transperineal biopsy for diagnosing prostate cancer
  Submit your comments by Tuesday 8 March 2022.
• FibroScan for assessing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in primary or community care
  Submit your comments by Wednesday 9 March 2022.
• Melanoma: assessment and management
  Submit your comments by Friday 11 March 2022.

Join a committee

We have 7 vacancies for health, public health and social care practitioners, other professionals, and lay people to join our committees. Topics include menopause, harmful gambling, prostate cancer and adrenal insufficiency. We’re also looking for a commissioner of surgical services to join our hip fracture: management update committee. Join us and have an active role in producing a guideline or quality standard.

Observe a meeting

We’re currently holding all our public meetings virtually. You'll need to register in advance to join. 

Upcoming public meeting:

• Tuesday 8 March 2022 – indicator advisory committee
  Registration closes Tuesday 1 March 2022.
  Agenda and register

New toolkit to help social care providers prepare for CQC inspections

Developed by Skills for Care in partnership with NICE and the Social Care Institute for Excellence, the Go Online inspection toolkit is designed to support providers in meeting the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) quality standards. It also helps users to identify areas for improvement in-line with the CQC’s assessment framework.

Consultation on Evidence-based Interventions Programme

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AMRC) is consulting on the latest set of guidance (List 3) for their Evidence-based Interventions Programme.
 
The programme provides guidance on when it is and is not appropriate to carry out specific interventions. It aims to improve quality of care and optimise the use of NHS resources. The new guidance covers 17 interventions across a range of specialisms.

The consultation is open until Thursday 31 March 2022.

Price increase for technology appraisals and highly specialised technologies

We are increasing our charges for technology and highly specialised technology appraisals. The updated fees will apply to evaluations with a formal start date (invitation to participate) on or after 1 April 2022. Small companies meeting the criteria will continue to receive a 75% discount.