Doctors Said – ‘Stop Pressurising NHS Advisory Body’

The NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) carried out study regarding whether if new drugs and technologies are cost effective or not.

But British Medical Journal doctors complained that NICE has carried out an invaluable work, which was set up by the government in 1999 for making NHS resources better.

NICE has published about 86 sets of guidance and recommendations about 117 topics. Doctors at the University of Southampton and Birmingham's City Hospital reviewed and found that recommendations were very evenly distributed as no for 19%, yes for 23%, yes with major restrictions for 32% and yes with minor restrictions for 28%.

But it was now under increasing pressure from those who seek to influence its decisions and some campaigners.

Because, some drugs were not approved legally by the trusts, for example the breast cancer drug Herceptin, led to legal challenges and refused to take into treatment.

Cancer institutes and charities have also been under critical state for the delays to get NICE approval. After getting licenced some drugs some drugs are still not been approved nearly three years -- a report says last year.

James Raftery, a professor of health technology assessment, said: It was clear that politicians seem to control NICE and companies, which have to make a profit, will seek it and also NICE had relaxed its advice on treatment for Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis after vocal campaigns.

Although it was under pressure, it needs that NICE must ensure about the funding available for drugs in the NHS was spent in the right way, which is for patients.