NEWS
SMC BOLSTERED BY FINDINGS OF NEW REPORT
The Scottish Government has published Dr Brian Montgomery’s Review of Access to New Medicines, which assesses the impact of the new approach introduced in 2014 by Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and sets out how the process for appraising medicines can be made even more open, transparent and robust.
The review found SMC acceptance rates had increased following recent reforms, with the combined assessment rates for orphan/cancer medicines increasing from 48 per cent between November 2011 and October 2013, to 75 per cent between May 2014 and March 2016.
‘The key finding from the review was that access to end-of-life, orphan and ultra-orphan medicines has increase,’ Dr Montgomery said. ‘This was confirmed by the feedback received from a wide range of stakeholders who engaged with the review. Stakeholders also expressed greater satisfaction with the new approach adopted by the SMC. The review goes on to highlight the challenge in maintaining the increased levels of access in the future, particularly at a time when an
increasing number of exciting new treatments are expected to become available for a number of conditions.’
‘We welcome the publication of Dr Montgomery’s review into access to new medicines for patients in Scotland,’ added Professor Jonathan Fox, Chair of the SMC. ‘We are pleased to note his key conclusion that the new approaches SMC has introduced have increased access to new medicines used at the end of life and for very rare conditions.
‘We are also reassured that the individuals and groups consulted during the review indicated a high level of satisfaction with the current situation. SMC fully supports patient access to clinically effective new medicines at a price that is fair for all and we agree it is vital that our processes continue to evolve and improve. We will carefully consider Dr Montgomery’s recommendations and work with NHS Boards, patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry to implement these in order to further improve appropriate access to new medicines.’
John Macgill speaks in-depth to Dr Montgomery on page 11.
DIABETES-LINKED HEALTH PROBLEMS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
A major research initiative has been launched, which uses cutting-edge data analysis techniques to better understand health complications experienced by people with diabetes. The €1.5 million (£1.3m) research programme at the University of Edinburgh, which is being supported by the AXA Research Fund, aims to identify symptom patterns that might indicate if people with diabetes are likely to develop complications, such as heart disease or blindness. Patients could then be offered therapies to prevent or delay their illness, experts say.
The programme - which looks at both type 1 and type 2 diabetes - aims to improve care offered to patients and ultimately reduce strain on medical resources. Around four million people in the UK are living with diabetes, a lifelong health condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate
levels of sugar in the blood. In some people, it can lead to further health problems including heart disease, stroke and blindness.
Estimates indicate the NHS spends around £14 billion each year treating the disease and its complications. Not all people with diabetes experience complications. The ability to identify those most at risk is limited, experts say.
Researchers will securely access anonymised healthcare data from people with diabetes living in Scotland to investigate potential warning signs. The project will use the latest big data analysis techniques to spot patterns that could provide early indications of a complication. These insights will be used to develop computer algorithms that help predict which people are most at risk and likely to benefit from a targeted intervention.
RGU STUDENT AWARDED PHARMACY RESEARCH UK FUNDING
Robert Gordon University (RGU) has announced that one of its students has been awarded funding from the UK’s principle research body.
The Pharmacy Research UK (PRUK) awards are designed to support those new to research, as well as pharmacists leading their first projects. PRUK recently announced its largest ever annual funding award, allocating nearly £200,000 to support pharmacy research.
The thirteen awards cover a wide range of pharmacy topics that will
4 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
impact pharmacy services and patient care, such as investigating trends in opioid prescribing and mitigating the challenges faced by community pharmacists at the transition from education into practice.
Joan MacLeod, Lead Pharmacist for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, is currently studying for her Doctorate of Professional Practice (DPP) at RGU, thanks to funding from PRUK and NHS Education for Scotland.
Joan has been awarded a personal
award of £5,110, which is allowing her to carry out an investigation into the impact of medication on the daily lives of people with learning disabilities (LD) and their carers in Grampian.
‘My aim is to find out more about some of the challenges faced and also the solutions found relating to medicine management,’ Joan said. ‘I
have had the support and advice of local LD care providers and charities, which continues to be invaluable. It is a privilege to have my research supported by both my employer and my professional body and I look forward to being able to use this research to help improve the quality of care for people with learning disabilities.’
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