Cost comparison timeline
These are the main stages in the cost comparison process.
Cost comparison suitability is determined during scoping. See the scope section of the Health Technology Evaluation manual for more information.
We started using this process in April 2023.
Timeline
Please note all timings are approximate.
Week 1
Development starts
We invite relevant stakeholders to take part in the appraisal.
All non-company consultees have 4 weeks to provide a submission.
Find out more about consultee submissions.
Organisations can apply to become a consultee or commentator at any point of the process up to final draft guidance (FDG) publication.
Request for evidence
We ask the intervention technology company to provide an evidence submission.
They have 4 weeks to produce the company submission.
Find out more about evidence submissions.
Information added to the NICE website
We publish the final scope, the name of the Evidence Assessment Group (EAG) and the stakeholder list on the website.
The scope sets out what the technology appraisal will cover and the questions that need to be addressed.
Request for clinical, commissioning and patient experts
We ask consultees to send in their nominations. The NICE team and the chair of the appraisal committee selects experts from those nominated.
If required, experts are asked to answer questions on their experience and knowledge of the condition and treatment and to comment on documents produced during the cost comparison process.
Week 5
Deadline for evidence submissions
Evidence review begins
An independent academic centre (the EAG) critiques the company's evidence submission and prepares a report called the External Assessment Report (EAR).
Week 6
Expert invitations
We invite the selected clinical, commissioning and patient experts to attend the appraisal committee.
Week 7
Request for clarification sent to company
If the evidence submission is incomplete, we consult with the Evidence Assessment Group and send a letter of clarification to the company.
The company has 10 working days to respond.
Week 8
Deadline for receipt of the expert statements
Week 12
EAR received by NICE
EAR sent to company for factual accuracy check
Week 14
Documents sent to committee subset for review
Week 16
Committee decisions outside of formal meeting
A subset of committee members will review the evidence and make a recommendation outside of a full committee meeting and no stakeholders will be asked to attend a meeting.
Week 19
FDG and supporting documents sent out to stakeholders
Consultees have 15 days to appeal against the final recommendations in the FDG.
Find out more about the appeals process.
Week 20
FDG published
We publish the FDG and supporting documents on our website for information.
Week 22
Close of appeal period
If no appeals have been received, the guidance is prepared for publication. If appeals have been received, the appeals process is followed.
Week 25
Technology appraisal published
If there are no appeals we issue the final recommendations as NICE guidance.