In the UK, patients treated with SIR-Spheres have been funded by themselves, private medical insurance or had the microspheres donated by Sirtex. A small number have been approved by the National Health Service (NHS). This is partly due to formal guidance documentation provided by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) which questioned the clinical benefits of SIR-Spheres microspheres requiring patient consent. Since 2002, it has been a mandatory for NHS organisations in the UK to provide funding for medicines and treatment as recommended by NICE. A favourable review will see the National Health Service pay for treatment across the UK and help reimbursement in other EU countries.