Good practice guidance – Interim process statement

1.1 Introduction to interim process statement

This interim process statement has been produced to guide the development of good practice guidance. It provides an overview of the key process principles and describes all stages of the development of good practice guidance. These procedures are designed to ensure that a robust, quality-assured, resource is developed for the NHS in an open, transparent and timely way, with appropriate input from key groups.

This interim process statement of good practice guidance will be superseded when the final process guide is issued later in 2012, following engagement and discussions with key groups.

1.2 Background to good practice guidance

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is part of the NHS. NICE's evidence-based guidance and other products help resolve uncertainty about which medicines, treatments, procedures, technologies and devices represent the best quality care and offer the best value for money for the NHS. Further information about NICE and its work is available on the NICE website (www.nice.org.uk).

The NICE Medicines and Prescribing Centre provides advice and support for delivering safety, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of medicines. The NICE Medicines and Prescribing Centre is responsible for developing good practice guidance.

Good practice guidance provide advice and guide good practice for those involved in handling, prescribing, commissioning and decision-making about medicines. The outputs have a wide range of audiences across both health and social care environments.