The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body, established to issue evidence-based advice to the national health service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and existing treatments. NICE has published for consultation its preliminary recommendations on the use of Macugen and Lucentis for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Stakeholders have until 5 July to submit comments to NICE, following which NICE’s Appraisal Committee will formulate its final advice for the NHS.
The Department is a stakeholder in the guidance development process and will be submitting a response to NICE’s consultation, but it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in the conduct of a NICE appraisal.
Pending final guidance from NICE, NHS bodies should continue to make local decisions on the use of Lucentis and Macugen, taking account of the available evidence.