A programme which has given cancer patients in Scotland improved
access to treatments is being extended.
Patients and health professionals reported significant
improvements in access to cancer medicines thanks to the
initiative, which was set up during the height of the Covid-19
pandemic.
The National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group (NCMAG) initiative
meant clinicians were able to make quicker decisions about
patient medication and also that some treatments could be taken
at home rather than having to visit hospital. The number of
hospital visits were estimated to be halved, reducing the risk of
infection to patients and the burden on cancer services.
An evaluation of the programme, which was supported by Healthcare
Improvement Scotland, revealed high levels of positivity from
patients while clinicians suggested hospital visits for patients
were halved.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is now developing ways to
continue to provide advice on widening access to certain cancer
medicines which are out with the remit of Scottish Medicines
Consortium (SMC).
Health Secretary welcomed plans to extend the
programme.
Mr Yousaf said:
“The National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group is a new initiative
that is being spearheaded by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. It
brings real benefits to patients, while also reducing the number
of hospital visits and therefore easing the pressure on our acute
sites.
“The Group was initially established at the beginning of the
pandemic to ensure patients had access to cancer medicines,
particularly where oral medicines were an option and reduced the
need to visit hospitals.
“The programme is now continuing to review cancer medicines with
both a clinical and health economic analysis to ensure we are
using our utilising our NHS resources appropriately.”
Sally Clive, chair of NCMAG, said:
“These findings provide evidence that the COVID-19 NCMAG advice
has been relevant, useful and impactful and that this has applied
to cancer services across Scotland.
“We are now taking forward a substantive NCMAG programme. This
will provide a national mechanism for evidence based advice on
clinical proposals for ‘off-label’ or ‘off-patent’ use of cancer
medicines which can then be applied consistently across
Scotland.”
Simon Watson, Medical Director of Healthcare Improvement
Scotland, said:
"At this time of unprecedented challenge for the NHS, making the
most of what we’ve already got is vitally important. This ground
breaking work squarely focusses on making the most of existing
cancer medicines with a clear focus on safe, clinical and
cost-effective innovation. The programme has already demonstrated
real world, measurable benefits allowing more patients to be
treated with fewer complications and helping make the most of
very stretched cancer services.
“We will continue to ensure that this important programme keeps
clinical and service need at its heart and keeps delivering real
world benefits for patient care in the future. I commend all
involved for their vision, hard work and determination to
establish this ground-breaking and important programme.”
Background
COVID-19 NCMAG Evidence of
Impact Report
