NICE issues new alcohol guidelines

In the U.K. the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidelines aimed at dealing with the country's drink problem. The guidance recommends a minimum national price, per unit, of alcohol; a ban on all alcohol advertising in order to protect children; reducing the limites on duty-free alcohol and cutting licensing hours at pubs, clubs and off licences. The most controversial recommendation is that patients are quizzed about their alcohol consumption when they sign up with a GP, visit a pharmacy to get their medication reviewed or have to go to an accident and emergency department. It is estimated that one in four people in the U.K. - around about 10 million - are putting their health at risk by drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol.

You can download a copy of the full NICE guidelines at

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/PH24