11 In principle, it would be desirable to cover all kinds of clinical intervention on an equal basis, and in particular

 
i

all therapeutic products including medicines and medical devices;

 
ii

all therapeutic interventions and programmes of care;

 
iii

products and processes to diagnose and prevent disease in individuals;

 
iv

population screening procedures.
12 In practice, the principles set out in this paper may be rather easier to implement for some sectors than for others. For instance, particular account may need to be taken of the characteristics of the medical device industry. It may therefore be necessary to start with a rather more restricted scope and extend to other forms of intervention as experience of the new process grows; alternatively, the problems could be addressed through some form of transitional process (see paras 29-31 below). Some points of detail in the appraisal process may also legitimately differ between sectors, although the underlying objectives will be the same in each case.
   
13 In some sectors, there are already effective arrangements in place: for instance, population screening is covered by the work of the National Screening Committee. A First Class Service asked for views as to whether such arrangements might come within the orbit of NICE at some stage in the future, to ensure a broad consistency of approach, but no immediate changes are in prospect.
   
 

We would welcome views on

  • other possible exclusions from the scope of the process
  • how the broad principles set out in this document, and the proposals for transitional arrangements, could best be adapted to fit the particular circumstances of particular sectors.