The 2nd HPD report - Health Policy Monitor

Public Visibility
Impact
Transferability
Post code
prescribing
Guidelines
for primary
care trusts
England and Wales: Health technology assessment and the
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
In 2003, the WHO Regional Office for Europe reviewed the NICE
Technical Appraisal Programme. It concluded that, “NICE (the
National Institute for Chlinical Excellence) has developed a welldeserved
reputation for innovation and methodological developments
that represent an important model for technology appraisals
internationally.” On the other hand, the WHO experts
criticized the close relationship between NICE and the pharmaceutical
industry. They recommend excluding physicians employed
by pharmaceutical companies from assessment boards
and involving them by way of separate consultation procedures
instead.
Idea
Pilot
Policy Paper
Legislation
Adoption
Evaluation
Change
NICE was established in 1999 as an official health authority
for England and Wales. It may be viewed as a response to variations
in the quality of care offered by the National Health Service
(NHS) and to rising costs caused by the introduction of new
technologies and medicines. Its main role is to produce and disseminate
clinical guidelines based on evidence of clinical and cost
effectiveness.
The overall strategy was set out in the NHS Plan, which established
National Service Frameworks and the Commission for
Health Care Inspection as important national initiatives alongside
NICE.
Since 2001, NHS organizations must follow NICE recommendations
that the secretary of state for health has approved.
The main organizations expected to respond to NICE guidelines
are primary care trusts, which have the responsibility for deciding
whether particular treatments will be funded through the local
NHS.
Of the 62 technologies assessed by NICE in the first four years
of its operations, the majority have dealt with pharmaceuticals. To
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