Developing NICE multiple technology appraisals (MTAs)
This is a summary of how NICE develops multiple technology appraisals. A multiple technology appraisal will normally cover more than one technology, or one technology for more than one indication. See all technology appraisals currently in development.
- Provisional appraisal topics chosen
The Department of Health (DH) produces a list of provisional appraisal topics. - Consultees and commentators identified
Read more about consultees and commentators. - Scope prepared
NICE works with the DH to develop a scope. The scope defines the disease, the patients and the technologies covered by the appraisal and the questions it aims to answer. Consultees and commentators are requested to comment on the draft scope. - Appraisal topics referred
The DH refers technology appraisal topics to NICE. Read more about how guidance topics are chosen. - Evidence submitted
NICE invites consultees and commentators to provide a submission. A submission is a concise, comprehensive and structured report of all relevant information (published and unpublished) for an appraisal. - Assessment report prepared
NICE commissions an independent academic centre to review published evidence on the technology and prepare an assessment report. Consultees and commentators are invited to comment on the report. - Evaluation report prepared
This includes all of the evidence that will be looked at by the Appraisal Committee. This evidence includes:
- the assessment report
- written submissions
- patient expert personal statements
- clinical specialist personal statements
- comments received on the assessment report.
- Appraisal Committee
An independent advisory committee considers the evaluation report and hears evidence from nominated clinical experts, patients and carers. The Committee discussions are held in public. Read more about the Appraisal Committee. - Appraisal consultation document (ACD) produced
The Appraisal Committee makes its provisional recommendations in the ACD. Consultees and commentators have four weeks to comment on the ACD. The ACD is also made available on our website so health professionals and members of the public can comment on it. - Final appraisal determination (FAD) produced
The Appraisal Committee considers the comments received on the ACD, then makes its final recommendations in the FAD on how the technology should be used in the NHS in England and Wales. Consultees can appeal against the final recommendations in the FAD. - Guidance issued
If there are no appeals, or an appeal is not upheld, the final recommendations are issued as NICE guidance.
Further information
- Guide to the Multiple Technology Appraisal Process (reference N2022)
- Developing NICE single technology appraisals (STAs)
- Patient access schemes liaison unit
- Contributing to a Technology Appraisal: A Guide for Patient/Carer Groups (reference N0516)
- Contributing to a Technology Appraisal: A Guide for Healthcare Professional Groups (reference N0517)
- Contributing to a Technology Appraisal: A Guide for Manufacturers and Sponsors (reference N0518)
- Contributing to a Technology Appraisal: A Guide for NHS Organisations (reference N0519)
- Guide to the methods of technology appraisal
- Agreement between the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) on guidelines for the release of company data into the public domain during a health technology appraisal
- Information about Technology appraisal appeals
This page was last updated: 04 July 2011
