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NICE Guidance - February 2018

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of February 2018. This month there are three guidelines and three technology appraisals that impact upon primary care.

The Pancreatic cancer in adults guideline has been published. It covers diagnosing and managing pancreatic cancer in adults aged 18 and over. It aims to improve care by ensuring quicker and more accurate diagnosis, and by specifying the most effective treatments for people depending on how advanced their cancer is.

The Heavy menstrual bleeding clinical guideline has been updated to include signposting to the temporary safety measures as part of an ongoing review of ulipristal acetate (Esmya®) for uterine fibroids.

The Peripheral arterial disease clinical guideline has been updated with two new recommendations in diagnosing peripheral arterial disease in people with diabetes.

The Raloxifene for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women technology appraisal has been updated to reflect the current recommendations. Guidance on strontium ranelate and etidronate have been removed because these drugs are no longer marketed in the UK. Some recommendations have also been replaced by newer guidance.

The Raloxifene and teriparatide for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women technology appraisal has been updated to reflect the current recommendations as detailed above. Some recommendations have also been replaced by newer guidance.

The Bisphosphonates for treating osteoporosis technology appraisal has also been updated in line with the amendments to the two technology appraisals listed above.

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