The Department of Health Research (DHR) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), UK to work together on a strategic and technical cooperation with regard to evidence – informed healthcare policy and practice.

Under the MoU, both the parties will share their experience of the development and use of evidence to inform clinical policy and practice in the context of universal healthcare coverage. The DHR and the NICE will exchange institutional expertise and experiences concerning the application of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), including topic selection and prioritization of technologies for evaluation, evidence assessment and appraisal, governance and oversight arrangements and consultation processes, and the implementation of HTA-based decisions into clinical policy and practice.

The initial period of validity of the MoU is for five years from the date of signing. Further, there is a provision for renewal of the MoU subject to mutual agreement. Steps have already been initiated towards the implementation of the MoU. The mechanism of implementation of the MoU includes setting up of joint steering committee to translate the commitments of the MoU to a real, mutually beneficial partnership and to steer the expertise and enthusiasm of the two countries to create better quality healthcare for the people.

The collaboration is likely to benefit the Indian health sector by bringing modern health technology to the people.