Overview
Go back NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Appeals panel - Life Sciences industry representative
The closing date is 27 February 2026
We are looking to appoint up to 2 people with current senior level experience in health economics and outcomes research, market access or medical affairs in a life sciences company / companies involved with innovative medicines to take part in our Appeal Panels. The Appeal Panel is responsible for hearing appeals against our final draft recommendations in the Technology Appraisal (new drugs and other technologies used in the NHS) and Highly Specialised Technologies (the evaluation of technologies for treating patients with very rare diseases and very complex healthcare needs) programmes. Closing date: Midnight on 27 February 2026. If you have an access requirement that prevents you from applying online, please contact appeals@nice.org.uk and we can provide MS word versions of the forms to complete.
Main duties of the job
Set aside enough time to attend panel meetings and use their personal and professional knowledge to inform the appeal panels deliberations.
Raise any concerns about the process or the panels proposed decision with the panel, and try to resolve these issues within the panel, with support from the legal adviser prior to publication of the panels decision letter.
Contribute positively to the work of the panel and to developing the appeal decision letter.
Take full account of the evidence in making decisions.
Act in a professional manner, show good manners and be courteous to colleagues and staff at all times. Panel members should behave in a polite, efficient and respectful manner and without bias or favour, using the highest standards of conduct expected in public life and service while serving on the panel.
Be impartial and honest in conducting their role, and avoid deliberately damaging the confidence of the public or stakeholders in NICE.
Read and adhere to NICEs Principles.
Read and adhere to NICEs policies on hospitality, declarations of interests and travel and subsistence.
About us
The position of committee member is unpaid. NICE will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including train fares and hotel costs when necessary, for attending committee meetings.
NICE recognises that in some circumstances individuals will need to arrange for carers or support workers to accompany them to a meeting, or to take over unpaid caring responsibilities while they are at a meeting - this includes childcare or care of a family member with a disability or other additional needs. The circumstances in which NICE can provide reimbursement for such costs are outlined in the non-staff reimbursement policy.
Panel members are expected to attend approximately 2 day-long appeal hearings a year (but no more than 5). Appeal hearings are currently held virtually.
In addition to attending appeal hearings panel members are required to:
Read substantial appeal papers in advance of each hearing. These will be circulated approximately 2-3 weeks before the hearing date.
Review the final draft of the panels decision letter approximately 2 weeks after the hearing.
Appeal hearings are held in public. See NICEs information on appeal hearings.
Appointment will be for 5 years and will be eligible for renewal. The second and further periods of office will be for periods agreed mutually, up to a maximum of 10 years. The initial appointment, and any subsequent reappointment(s) are subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Job responsibilities
Before you consider applying for this role, please ensure you read the conflicts of interest section of the attached applicant information document and refer to NICEs policy on declaring and managing interests for NICE advisory committees.
Responsibilities:
* Contribute to the panel deliberations from their own specialist knowledge whilst respecting input from non-specialists and lay persons.
* Apply your own experience and judgement to the topics under discussion.
* Work with other members of the Appeal Panel to identify key issues relating to the grounds of appeal.
* Prepare for appeal hearings by reading the substantive papers and communicate by email between meetings.
* Work with the Appeal Panel to formulate the appeal decision.
* Understand the needs and experiences of NHS staff and patients, and be able to effectively communicate a balanced view when dealing with difficult situations at appeals that will impact the NHS and the life sciences industry.
* Abide by NICEs policies and processes including declarations of interest.
* Participate in induction training and other training which may be offered periodically.
Person Specification
Ability to contribute to the work of the advisory body
* Current senior level experience in health economics and outcomes research, market access or medical affairs in a life sciences company / companies involved with innovative medicines.
* An understanding of the social, political, economic and professional influences on NICE and the NHS.
* Ability to draw out and articulate a balanced view on the issues arising from an appeal that are relevant to the clinical and pharmaceutical environment.
* Ability to weigh up competing potentially complex arguments and make decisions (sometimes difficult ones) in meetings that are open to the public.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Time to commit to the work of the appeal panel: attend meetings, prepare for appeal hearings by reading substantial appeal papers, and other work as required by the panel.
* Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
* A broad understanding of what NHS staff and patients want from a publicly funded health service.
* An understanding of the NICE technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies appeal process.
* Understanding of the role of the life sciences representative on the appeal panel and how to manage any potential conflicts of interest.
* An understanding of NICE technology appraisal processes.
Ability to understand and interpret multiple complex data sets
* Ability to gather data, analyse, critique and synthesise complex information, as evidenced by relevant experience and/or academic qualifications.
* Knowledge of health technology research methodologies.
Nature of the motivation underpinning the application
* Clearly and persuasively stated reasoning for making an application.
Equality and diversity
* Commitment to eliminating unlawful discrimination, advancing equality and an understanding or awareness of the issues of inequality in health, public health and social care settings.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
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