NICE technology appraisals
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Coronary artery stents, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and hip prostheses will be evaluated this fall by the National Institute For Clinical Excellence, a technology appraisal program for the National Health Service in the U.K. (1"The Gray Sheet" March 22, p. 12). Manufacturers of the selected products are expected to submit existing data on clinical and cost effectiveness, the group explains Aug. 6. NICE will issue a guidance on each manufacturer's technology, indicating "whether, and under what circumstances, the technology should be routinely used in the NHS" and "whether its use should be restricted to certain categories of patients." Other areas to be examined include cervical screening, inhaler systems, hearing aids, laparoscopic surgery, and wound care