Updating technology appraisal recommendations for COVID-19 medicines: revised approach
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2 Data availability issues
The continuous surveillance programme was based around 3 core sources of data that were thought to be available. However, since the publication of the draft process, each source of data is now more limited in availability and detail.
UKHSA technical briefings
Since the publication of the draft surveillance and rapid update process, UKHSA have changed how they report on SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalence and growth rates. This is partly due to changes in COVID-19 testing strategies and also a refocus of COVID-19 work within UKHSA. As of June 2023, more frequent reports are published but they are limited in the sample in that only Pillar 1 samples in England (primarily positive tests conducted in hospital) are included now. Previously, the sequencing strategy prioritised hospitalised cases, patients who were receiving specific antiviral therapy, and national core priority studies and was broader than England.
In vitro studies
In the past month (May 2023), searches have only identified one new in vitro evidence study on the monoclonal antibodies included in the MTA.
OpenSAFELY
The OpenSAFELY researchers have advised NICE that when commissioning of the COVID-19 therapies switches to ICBs the data flows will be reduced compared with centralised procurement. Although data on medicines dispensed in primary care will be available, those administered in secondary care settings will not be available.
Overall, the amount of data that was envisaged when the continuous surveillance process was designed is much less than anticipated.
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