NICE is there to conduct a calm, dispassionate review of the evidence and assess the cost effectiveness of the many different ways in which the NHS budget can be spent. This has included such unpopular measures as providing free syringes to prevent cross-infections between drug users. Although it actually saves lives, NICE was likened to a ‘death panel’ by some Republicans campaigning against ObamaCare, so it has to be thick-skinned, particularly as it is constantly lobbied by giant pharmaceutical companies.
