In a new series of blogs, we hear from Leigh Smith who represents the ALLIANCE as the Scottish Medicines Consortium’s Patient Partner.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) aims to accept for use those newly licensed medicines that clearly represent good value for money to NHSScotland. By analysing information supplied by the medicine’s submitting company on the health benefits of the medicine and justification of its price. Often this involves representation from people with long term conditions who have a particular interest.
The Consortium is made up of lead clinicians, pharmacists and health economists together with representatives of health boards, the pharmaceutical industry, the public and the Scottish Government. I’m new to the role of SMC Patient Group Partner and I’ll be producing a regular blog to inform ALLIANCE members on the latest developments.
The SMC are developing a film to be put on their website to help groups make submissions, with the aim of making it even more accessible. The SMC’s Public Involvement Advisors, Lindsay and Jennifer, are very helpful and no group should hold back from making a submission on behalf of their members, they will be taken by the hand and treated kindly and given full support.
This is equally true of the Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) meetings, a stage in the assessment process which brings together representatives of people living with long term conditions and healthcare professional experts. There is nothing to be uneasy about. The only knowledge required is of what it is like to live with the condition and only the ‘patients’ know that.
The group was also encouraged to share its views on the future direction of the Scottish Health Council, to help continue to evolve its role in ensuring the voice of people and communities remain at the heart of health and social care. Please take part in our consultation and give your views on the seven consultation questions.
