Scottish Medicines Consortium

Last Tuesday I attended the SMC conference in Edinburgh as a Patient Representative for the Mouth Cancer foundation. SMC is the Scottish equivalent of NICE.Their role is" to provide advice to NHS boards on the status of all newly licensed drugs,new formulations & new indications for drugs established since January 2002"
There were 200 delegates attending, representing a diverse range of organisations, many Drug companies & 5 patient Representatives
It was interesting to learn how decisions are made on which drugs will be made available & which are regected & why.It was stressed how important it was to present a well structured & thought out case when applying for acceptance of new drugs.
2 very relevant sessions were "How to make a good economic submission to SMC", &"How to make a good patient interest group submission to SMC"
There was much information to absorb, & a shortened lunch break left little time for networking, but I managed to talk to several delegates about MCF, they were not aware we exsisted but expressed interest. One was a Psychiatrist, who said he treated several head & neck Cancer patients. I hope he remembers to pass on the Forum url.
Details of the conference & work of the SMC will be on their website in due course, for anyone interested. Fran.