Is access to new medicines improving in Scotland?
The chair of the Scottish Medicines Consortium has said that the organisation will continue to evolve to ensure the best use of medicines for patients in Scotland.
In a blog on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website, Alan MacDonald says that the SMC issued 100 pieces of advice last year, accepting 68% of drugs. But he said that it was not possible to accept every drug, although he appreciated that this could upset patients who feel they are denied hope.
Dr MacDonald said decisions had to be based on objective assessment of the best evidence to avoid disappointing patients and the public who believe a medicine will benefit them, and to avoid wasting NHS resources.
Further information
Healthcare Improvement Scotland: The Scottish Patient Safety Programme: Celebrating 10 years of reducing harm and improving care — Joanne Matthews