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NICE Guidance - November 2016

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of November 2016. This month there are two guidelines and three technology appraisals that impact upon primary care.

The Hypertension in adults guideline covers identifying and treating primary hypertension (high blood pressure) in people aged 18 and over. It has been updated to include two MHRA drug safety alerts regarding ACE inhibitor use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The Diabetes in children and young people guideline covers the diagnosis and management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and young people aged under 18. It has been updated to add information on when eye screening should begin and referral for eye screening should happen.

The Dapagliflozin in triple therapy for treating type 2 diabetes technology appraisal replaces existing advice (see below). Triple therapy regimen is recommended as an option for treating type 2 diabetes in adults only in combination with metformin and a sulfonylurea.

The Dapagliflozin in combination therapy for treating type 2 diabetes technology guideline has been updated to including sign-posting to the new guidance above covering triple therapy.

The Apremilast for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis technology appraisal is recommended as an option for treating chronic plaque psoriasis in adults whose disease has not responded to other systemic therapies, including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen and ultraviolet‑A light). Treatment should be initiated by specialists.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.