Latest drugs accepted for use by SMC


Despite the pandemic, the Scottish Drugs Consortium (SMC) continues to review drugs for use within NHSScotland.


The latest two drugs to be accepted for use are:


Vedolizumab (Entyvio®) is used in the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, who have had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a


tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) antagonist. SMC had previously accepted vedolizumab powder for concentrate for solution for intravenous infusion for use in NHSScotland for this indication. This advice applies only in the context of an approved NHSScotland Patient Access Scheme (PAS) arrangement delivering the cost-effectiveness results upon which the decision was based, or a PAS/ list price that is equivalent or lower.


Neratinib (Nerlynx®) has also been accepted for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early-stage hormone receptor positive HER2- overexpressed/amplified breast cancer and who completed adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy less than one year ago. In the relevant subgroup of a phase III study neratinib, given less than one year after adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy, improved invasive disease- free survival in patients with early-stage hormone receptor positive HER2-overexpressed/ amplified breast cancer compared with placebo.


This advice applies only in the context of an approved NHSScotland Patient Access Scheme (PAS) arrangement delivering the cost-effectiveness results upon which the decision was based, or a PAS/ list price that is equivalent or lower.


12 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST


FORMER CPS CHAIRMAN PASSES


Pharmacists throughout Scotland have greeted with sadness the news that former Community Pharmacy Scotland Chair, Graeme Millar, has died suddenly.


Over the years, Graeme was well known for his strong strategic experience, which he had developed during his career in both the public and sectors, as well as in professional and charity fields. Until his untimely passing on 31 July, Graeme had served as Hon Professor of Pharmacy and Life Sciences for more than fourteen years, but he had contributed to the pharmacy profession in various ways during his career.


Graeme first established his community pharmacy group in 1979 and he remained its Chief Executive and Chairman before relaunching it as a property and investment company in 1994.


In 1988, Graeme was elected by all pharmacy contractors in Scotland as Chairman of Pharmaceutical General Council Scotland (now Community Pharmacy Scotland). Graeme was in post for six years, during which time he negotiated all of the terms and conditions that related to payment of pharmacy services within Scotland.


Two years later, he became a member of the Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee at the Scottish Executive Health Department and remained as such for sixteen years. During this time, Graeme acted as advisor to the Chief Pharmacist and Government in Scotland on matters relating to pharmaceutical services across the whole of the NHS in Scotland. In 1998, Graeme became Chairman of Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland and was elected professional leader of the pharmacy profession in the region.


Graeme Millar during his time as Chairman of Community Pharmacy Scotland.


In addition to his contribution to pharmacy, Graeme was extremely active over the years in a wide number of sectors and companies. He will be widely missed by all those, who worked with him over the years and Scottish Pharmacist would like to send its condolences to Graeme’s family and former colleagues.


DRUG DEATHS TASKFORCE MARKS FIRST YEAR


Almost £4 million has been allocated by the Drug Deaths Taskforce (DDTF) to projects to support its work reducing harm and deaths.


The taskforce has announced the Scottish Government funding for research and front-line services to help tackle the drug deaths public health emergency over the next year: • £1 million for ten research projects examining different approaches to tackling the public health emergency • £3 million for Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to deliver on the six evidence-based strategies set out by the Taskforce to reduce drug deaths and drug harms


The DDTF was set up in June 2019 in acknowledgment of the rising number of drug related deaths (DRDs) in Scotland. In July 2019, National


Records Scotland published their annual DRD statistics, which showed that Scotland had recorded 1,187 drug related deaths in 2018, 253 (27 per cent) - more than in 2017 and the highest number ever recorded.


The taskforce, which has now been operating for a year, has also launched a new website to inform stakeholders, service providers, people who use drugs and their families on their work. In addition, a new strategy to tackle stigma will encourage a more informed and compassionate approach towards people who use drugs and their families. Over its first year it has gathered evidence which shows stigma is one of the main factors preventing people from seeking treatment.


s‘Since the taskforce first met in September 2019,’ said Professor Catriona Matheson, Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce, ‘we have been urgently reviewing evidence of what can best address Scotland’s unique challenge, and putting that evidence in action.


‘The Annual Report details our progress in identifying critical lines of enquiry and actions to take us forward. The taskforce recognises that we all need to get away from a search for a mythical, single, magic bullet and towards a programme of implemented strategies that not only works but engenders a new level of trust, sharing and collaboration in Scotland’s key agencies. We believe in positive, sustainable change.’


PHARMACY DOES ITSELF PROUD!


Congratulations to George Romanes and his team from Duns pharmacy team, who recently received a service recognition award from the Duns Rotary Club for their continued efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Well done everyone!


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