NICE guides new treatments for prostate cancer, drugs misuse, osteoporosis and heart failure

New treatments for prostate cancer, drugs misuse, osteoporosis and heart failure are being referred to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Lord Warner announced today.

NICE is also being asked to develop clinical guidance on the care and management of osteoarthritis and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and young adults.

Lord Warner said:

“This is an extremely important programme of work that we are sending to NICE and it includes clinical areas that we have not asked the Institute to consider before, specifically the two technology appraisals and clinical guideline on the treatment of drug misuse. This is a matter of growing clinical concern in the UK and it is only right that we ask NICE to provide guidance in this area, as this will have benefits, not just to the NHS, but to the wider society as a whole.

"The rest of the 10th wave focuses on other key issues, treatments for cancer and heart failure for example, which will assist the NHS in continuing to provide clinical and cost effective care to its patients, irrespective of where they live.”

The NHS is now required to make drugs available throughout England where NICE advises that they are clinically and cost effective.