| The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE or the Institute) is part of the NHS. It provides guidance for the NHS, its patients and their carers about treatment and health care. The guidance on beta-interferon and glatiramer acetate was a part of the technology appraisals work programme. Appraisals are independent considerations of both the clinical and cost effectiveness of health technologies. Topics include medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures and health promotion activities. The Secretary of State for Health and the Welsh Assembly Government decide which topics NICE will appraise. However, once the technology has been referred to NICE, the development of the guidance is the responsibility of NICE alone. |
