Section 7 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 requires integrated care boards, NHS England and, with respect to their public health functions, local authorities to comply with the recommendations in this evaluation within 90 days of its date of publication.
The Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal guidance recommends the use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS in Wales must usually provide funding and resources for it within 60 days of the first publication of the final draft guidance.
When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraphs above. This means that, if a patient has relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma and they have had only 1 previous line of therapy and the healthcare professional responsible for their care thinks that ibrutinib is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.
NHS England and Janssen have agreed a commercial access agreement that makes ibrutinib available to the NHS at a reduced cost. The financial terms of the agreement are commercial in confidence. Any enquiries from NHS organisations about the commercial access agreement should be directed to Janssen Customer Services on 01494 567 400 or [email protected].