This topic has been one which has been bending minds at NICE. If one is to
compare a new treatment with something, what is it? If it is to be 'best
present treatment' but that best treatment is rare as hens teeth in the UK at
present should you accept that and compare with 'usual treatment'. If it is
better than 'usual' that is a step up. Or should NICE insist on 'best treatment'
everywhere, if it is cost effective, despite the fact that that would take ten
years, by which time it may have been superceded.
For me, in order to provide the greatest good for the greatest number, we have
to go for the new 'second best' option now.
Norman
Dr Norman J Vetter
Department of Epidemiology
cardiff University
Heath Park Campus
Cardiff, CF14 4XN
UK
Tel: +44 (0)29 20 742311
+44 (0)29 20 742318
Fax: +44 (0)29 20 742898
Web: www.normanvetter.com
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