Professor Gordon McVie, Director General, Cancer Research Campaign, appeared before the Science and Technology Select Committee to answer questions on Cancer Research. Professor McVie made several comments regarding the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins said, "Professor McVie's continued criticisms of NICE are both uninformed and wrong. NICE guidance is produced to high standard, following a robust and inclusive process. Each piece of cancer guidance is fully informed by all relevant professional and patient groups, including expert oncologists. NICE has and will continue to work in the interests of both cancer patients and the wider NHS".

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Notes for Editors:

    NICE guidance is prepared by the independent expert members of its Technology Appraisal committee. The Institute has taken care to ensure that the process followed for developing its guidance is transparent, objective, inclusive, and offers adequate opportunity for consultation.

    To inform the development of its guidance NICE ensures the involvement of the national bodies that represent health professionals and those representing patients and their carers.

    These groups nominate their own experts to inform the process, prepare written and verbal submissions of evidence, are consulted on provisional determinations and have a right of appeal.

    For the cancer guidance this includes National Cancer Charities, patient carer groups and professional groups including oncologists.