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The review criticises NICE for taking too long, sometimes up to two years, to make appraisal guidance available on newly licensed drugs.

'We will work with NICE to enable them to produce fast guidance on significant new drugs,' the review says. Changes to the appraisal process should allow guidance to be issued within a few months.

The review adds that every patient will have the right to positively approved NICE-appraised drugs and treatments where the clinician recommends them.

Patients should be given an 'open and honest explanation' if the local NHS decides not to fund the drug and treatments, the review adds.

NICE will also be expanded to set and approve more independent quality standards.

RCN Nurse Practitioner Association chair Jenny Aston said: 'NICE has the clout and the manpower to be looking at new drugs sooner rather than later.

'This will help to reduce the postcode lottery where some drugs are approved in Scotland before they are approved in England.'

The plans will help nurse prescribing and prevent PCTs from hiding behind any delays in the NICE appraisal process as a way to restrict drug use and save money, said Ms Aston.

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