Question reference: S5W-01842
- Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 9 August 2016
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 5 September 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS will use nivolumab in the treatment of skin cancer.
Answer
On 8 August 2016 the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved nivolumab as a single treatment for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma for restricted use within NHS Scotland. Details of that decision are available at: www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/1120_16_nivolumab_Opdivo/nivolumab_Opdivo_Resubmission
Where SMC recommend medicines for restricted use there is an expectation that health boards will make the medicine or an equivalent available to patients within those restricted conditions. Decisions on whether to prescribe the medicine is a matter for the clinical judgement of the patient’s doctor, in consultation with the patient, informed by advice and guidance about the drug.