4 Implementation

4.1 Section 7(6) of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 requires clinical commissioning groups, NHS England and, with respect to their public health functions, local authorities to comply with the recommendations in this appraisal within 3 months of its date of publication.

4.2 The Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal recommends the use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS in Wales must usually provide funding and resources for it within 2 months of the first publication of the final appraisal determination.

4.3 When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraphs above. This means that, if a patient has hepatitis C and the doctor responsible for their care thinks that sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.

4.4 The contract price used for decision-making in this appraisal is the relevant price that the NHS pays for sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir. This is based on contract pricing arrangements between Gilead and the Commercial Medicines Unit. Contract prices are commercial in confidence. Any enquiries from NHS organisations about the contract prices used in this appraisal should be directed to the Commercial Medicines Unit.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)