UNISON Press | Press Releases Front Page: "The NHS and patients will pay a high price if the Government removes safeguarding powers from the drugs body NICE, warns UNISON, the UK’s largest public service union today (2 November). Following proposals to strip powers from NICE, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“NICE has achieved global recognition for the vital role it plays in controlling the excesses of the pharmaceutical industry in the UK. It advises GP’s about the most cost-effective treatments and has used its powers to negotiate better prices from these very powerful multinational drugs companies.
“The NHS is not immune from Government cuts - it has to find £20bn worth of savings. Its resources are finite and adding high priced, unproven drug treatments will lead to escalating costs and cuts for patients elsewhere. It opens up again the whole spectre of a post-code lottery for treatments, with some GPs prescribing drugs that others do not.
“NICE rigorously examines the cost and effectiveness of drug treatments. It is the NHS and patients who will be the ultimate losers, if they are stripped of their powers.
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