Carrying NICE over the threshold

Abstract

The article by Andrew Dillon explores the challenges faced by the NHS (National Health Service) in allocating its finite resources among new and existing healthcare interventions. He discusses the use of cost-effectiveness thresholds, specifically the widely accepted QALY (quality-adjusted life year), as a means of prioritizing the funding of new drugs and technologies. He argues that setting the threshold too high may lead to denying access to potentially beneficial treatments, while setting it too low might result in overspending and displacing effective treatments. Dillon acknowledges the complexity of these decisions and the need for considering factors beyond QALYs, such as the value of innovation, equity, and broader societal impacts. He emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that allows for access to new treatments while safeguarding existing healthcare services. – AI-generated abstract.