Accelerated Access Review

Accelerated Access Review

The Accelerated Access Review (AAR) is a significant initiative aimed at expediting the process by which patients in the United Kingdom can access innovative medicines, medical technologies, and diagnostics. The review was commissioned by the UK government and conducted by an independent panel, with the final report published in October 2016. The AAR seeks to address the challenges and barriers in the healthcare system that delay the availability of cutting-edge treatments to patients.

Background

The Accelerated Access Review was initiated in response to the growing need for a more efficient pathway for the introduction of new medical innovations into the National Health Service (NHS). The traditional processes for evaluating and approving new treatments were often seen as too slow, preventing patients from benefiting from the latest advancements in medical science.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Accelerated Access Review include:

• Streamlining the approval process: To reduce the time it takes for new treatments to be approved and made available to patients.
• Enhancing collaboration: To foster better collaboration between the NHS, industry, and regulatory bodies.
• Improving patient outcomes: To ensure that patients have quicker access to treatments that can significantly improve their health and quality of life.
• Supporting innovation: To create an environment that encourages the development and adoption of innovative medical technologies.

Key Recommendations

The AAR made several key recommendations to achieve its objectives:

1. Establishment of an Accelerated Access Pathway: A new pathway to fast-track the most promising and transformative innovations. 2. Creation of a Strategic Commercial Unit: To negotiate commercial agreements and manage the entry of new products into the NHS. 3. Enhanced horizon scanning: To identify and prioritize innovations that could have the greatest impact on patient care. 4. Improved data infrastructure: To support the evaluation and monitoring of new treatments. 5. Patient and public involvement: To ensure that the needs and perspectives of patients are central to the decision-making process.

Implementation

Following the publication of the AAR, the UK government and NHS England began implementing its recommendations. This included the launch of the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), which brings together key stakeholders to oversee the delivery of the AAR's objectives.

Impact

The implementation of the Accelerated Access Review has led to several positive outcomes, including:

• Faster access to treatments: Patients are now able to access certain new treatments more quickly than before.
• Increased collaboration: There is greater cooperation between the NHS, industry, and regulatory bodies.
• Support for innovation: The UK has become a more attractive environment for the development of new medical technologies.

Challenges

Despite its successes, the AAR faces several challenges, such as:

• Balancing speed and safety: Ensuring that the accelerated processes do not compromise patient safety.
• Sustainability: Maintaining the financial and operational sustainability of the accelerated pathways.
• Equity of access: Ensuring that all patients, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, benefit from accelerated access.

Also see

• National Health Service (NHS)
• Medical innovation
• Regulatory affairs
• Healthcare policy

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