Report shows variation in NICE-approved medicines

Research has uncovered variations in the use of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)-approved medication.

A new report commissioned by the Department of Health and produced by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) in collaboration with NICE found a variety of regional variations.

But HSCIC chief executive Tim Straughan stressed that the data should not be used to claim certain drugs are being under or over-prescribed.

"Anyone interpreting the figures needs to be clear about the limitations of what the data show," he said, adding factors such as "gaps in data, differences in demography and disease prevalence across the country" have to be remembered when conducting analysis.

Temozolomide, which is licensed for the treatment of newly diagnosed brain cancer in adults, was among the drugs found by the study to have been prescribed more often than expected.

The drug is available as 5mg, 20mg, 100mg, 140mg, 180mg and 250mg capsules, according to Macmillan.

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