Topotecan for the treatment of recurrent and stage IVB cervical cancer

  • Technology appraisal guidance
  • TA183
  • Published: 
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5 Implementation

5.1 The Secretary of State and the Welsh Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services have issued directions to the NHS on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal recommends use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS must provide funding and resources for it within 3 months of the guidance being published. If the Department of Health issues a variation to the 3-month funding direction, details will be available on the NICE website. The NHS is not required to fund treatments that are not recommended by NICE.

5.2 When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraph above. This means that, if a patient has recurrent or stage IVB cervical cancer and the doctor responsible for their care thinks that topotecan is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.

5.3 NICE has developed tools to help organisations put this guidance into practice (listed below).

  • A costing statement explaining the resource impact of the guidance.

  • Audit support for monitoring local practice.