Technology Appraisal Committee

NICE technology appraisal recommendations are prepared by an independent advisory committee called the Technology Appraisal Committee (TAC).

Committee members are appointed for a three-year term, and are drawn from:

• the NHS
• patient and carer organisations
• academia
• pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.

The TAC is divided into five branches. Committee members are allocated to one of the five branches and will normally remain in the same branch for the duration of their membership.

Although the TAC seeks the views of organisations representing health professionals, patients, carers, manufacturers and government, its advice is independent of any vested interests.

Consultees and commentators

Consultee organisations include:

• national groups representing patients and carers
• bodies representing health professionals
• manufacturers or sponsors of the technology in development
• the Department of Health
• the Welsh Assembly Government
• specialised commissioning groups
• primary care trusts and local health boards.

Consultees can submit evidence during the appraisal, comment on the appraisal documents and appeal against the Appraisal Committee's final recommendations. In addition, consultee organisations (with the exception of manufacturers) are asked to nominate patient experts or clinical specialists.

Commentator organisations include:

• manufacturers of comparator technologies
• NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
• the relevant National Collaborating Centre (a group commissioned by NICE to develop clinical guidelines), if relevant
• research groups working in the area
• other groups, including:
  • NHS Confederation
  • NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency
  • British National Formulary
  • Scottish Medicines Consortium
  • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
  • Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland
  • professional or patient organisations covering Wales only.

Commentators are invited by NICE to take part in the appraisal process and comment on the various documents produced during the process. Commentators cannot appeal against the final appraisal determination.

Learn more about developing NICE technology appraisal guidance.

Next meeting dates

There are four TAC committees (A, B, C, and D). Meetings are held either in London or Manchester.

Minutes from previous meetings