Does the work of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have any relevance for the United States?

The growing emphasis on evidence-based decision- making in health care, especially regarding health technologies, has generated notable debate and discussion in the U.S. around establishing a more formalized process or system for conducting comparative effectiveness research. In the eyes of many observers, this is quite similar to the HTA programs existing in a number of European countries. The National Institute for three types of guidance, including technology appraisals, clinical guidelines, and interventional procedures. In mid-2005, NICE also assumed the responsibilities of the Health Development Agency (HDA), which provided the Institute with authority to develop guidance on public health interventions or programmes.