The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is developing a clinical guideline on the prevention of venous thromboembolism in all hospital patients. NICE expects to publish this guidance in 2009.
In June 2007, the Secretary of State made a ‘minded’ technology appraisal referral to NICE of the drug dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of venous thromboembolism following elective hip or knee replacement surgery in adults. NICE has undertaken a consultation on the remit and scope of this appraisal and a final decision on its referral to NICE will be taken shortly.