National institute for health and clinical excellence
From Ganfyd
While its decisions if technical appraisals were effectively compulsory in England and Wales as of 2010, its guidelines and advice may have wider ramifications on international healthcare resource allocation as it has a rigorous process more independent of interest groups than some.
NICE is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health in England and Wales. On 1 April 2005 NICE joined with the Health Development Agency to become the new National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (also to be known as NICE). 
- NICE home page, Feb 2006
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has a central role in health cost-effectiveness analysis in England and Wales. In 2010 its role further evolved and according to the Secretary of state for health it will be able to give advice about what is the best treatment but it won't be saying 'You must have this' or even less saying no to things.
See NICE National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
The Scottish equivalent is the Scottish Medicines Consortium [1] It is specifically tasked with providing advice promptly on release of a new medicine. It is independent of NICE. Shock and horror may sometimes be expressed if its findings differ from those of NICE. What does independence mean if not the ability to differ if there is some doubt on a matter?
NICE guidelines
External links
References
- ↑ http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/smc/CCC_FirstPage.jsp accessed 18th February 2009
