In the run up to the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has launched its revised appraisals methods guide.
NICE, global leader in evaluating the benefits of new drugs and treatments is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. Its 'Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal' document provides an overview of the principles and methods used by NICE to assess health technologies (drugs and other treatments).
Professor Peter Littlejohns, NICE Clinical and Public Health Director, explains that the Institute's methodologies guide, "underpins the development of all of our appraisal guidance and so it is very important that we regularly review it to take into account the latest research and to reflect changes in the field of healthcare economics."
The new Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal replaces the previous document published in May 2004, The guide is available both for the independent advisory committees that prepare NICE guidance and for those organisations representing patient groups, health professionals and manufacturers that submit evidence and comment on draft recommendations.
The new Guide is for use in conjunction with the Institute's Guide to the Technology Appraisal Process and its Guide to the Single Technology Appraisal Process, which describe the process that the Institute adopts in developing its guidance.
Littlejohns added that, "this review has been a valuable process which has enabled us to incorporate the views of stakeholders and the public. This new guide will help keep NICE at the cutting edge of this important work."
More about about NICE
NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
About Technology appraisals
Technology appraisals are recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS, such as:
Keywords : NICE National Institue for Health and Clinical Excellence, Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal, Methods, Drugs, Medicines, Treatments, Medical devices, Diagnostic techniques, Health promotion, Public health, Clinical practice, NHS
