This consultation started on 28th November 2009 and ends on 8th February 2010.

In July the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) published the 'Life Sciences Blueprint' which announced a package of measures to help maintain a competitive life science sector. One of the initiatives announced in the blueprint was the introduction of an 'Innovation Pass'.

The Innovation Pass will make selected innovative medicines available on the NHS for a time-limited period, prior to a NICE appraisal. Funding will be drawn from a new ring-fenced 25m budget, set aside exclusively for the Innovation Pass. The Pass gives earlier access to innovative drugs for patients with the greatest need, and at the same time it will facilitate the collection of further information to support a subsequent NICE appraisal.

This consultation seeks views from the NHS, industry and other stakeholders on the Government's proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot. These proposals will be revised in light of comments received as part of this consultation and will be used to inform the first set of decisions for the pilot in 2010/1

The following documents relating to this consultation are available: Download consultation document Download Impact Assessment Download consultation document Download Impact Assessment

http://www.tellthemwhatyouthink.org/consultation/con-2692-a-proposals-innovation-pass-pilot