The Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) team at the University of Glasgow have arranged an event exploring how decisions are made as to which medicines should be made available on the NHS. We will begin with a screening of a documentary called 'The Price of Life,' which outlines the assessment process for new medicines, focusing on a treatment for multiple myeloma. This will be followed by a panel discussion around recent decisions by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on medicines for cystic fibrosis
The Price of Life
'On a finite budget, the National Health Service can't afford to offer patients every treatment on the market, so how does the nation decide which patients should be the winners – and who should be the losers? NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) is a body that decides which drug treatments the NHS can afford and its judgements have precipitated many bitter battles over the last decade but, for many, the people behind the process remain shrouded in mystery.
Focusing on cancer drug Revlimid, award-winning documentary-maker Adam Wishart follows those who must decide whether to approve the drug and those who will be affected by the outcome. They are: Professor David Barnett, chairman of the NICE appraisals committee, charged with assessing its effectiveness; cancer patients including Julia Gatt and Eric Rutherford, whose lives depend on the decision; Sol Barer, head of the American drug company that discovered Revlimid and profits from it; and NHS manager Sophia Christie, who has to deal with the financial consequences of the committee's decision.
The programme tells the compelling story of the people whose everyday lives are affected by this intricate process. Will Julia and Eric get the drug they need and, if so, will Sophia be forced to make cuts to her budget in other areas? The very human conflicts that arise open up for debate a bigger moral question – how much is life worth, and how much should society pay?'
Panel Discussion
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on a more recent example of decision-making by a health technology assessment (HTA) body which attracted controversy, specifically the rejection of medicines for cystic fibrosis e.g Orkambi, by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). Like the documentary, we aim to capture the perspectives of different stakeholders.
The panel will consist of:
-Jeane Freeman, Scottish Health Minister during the assessment period of these drugs by SMC
-Thomas Ferguson, a person living with CF involved in campaigning for access to CF drugs in Scotland
-Marion Ferguson, campaigner for access to CF drugs in Scotland
-Prof. Gordon MacGregor, consultant in respiratory medicine specialising in CF
-Prof. Olivia Wu, Director of HEHTA
The panel will be moderated by Prof. Emma McIntosh, Deputy Director of HEHTA.
The aim of this community engagement event is to demystify the assessment processes for new medicines undertaken by health technology assessment bodies such as NICE and SMC and to give an insight into some of the challenges of this decision-making.
To register for the event, please visit the EventBrite page: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Dip into the fantastic research happening on your doorstep, with family-friendly activities and exhibits as part of the Scotland-wide Explorathon festival, in partnership with Glasgow Doors Open Days!
READ MOREEverything from kid-friendly classics to family foreign language and the latest blockbuster releases, Take 2 screenings at Glasgow Film Theatre will keep even the littlest film fans entertained!
READ MOREYour favourite movie night is back! Enjoy a line-up of feel-good films and movie classics plus a meal, popcorn and drink, all set up in the stunning Grand Ballroom at Sloans!
READ MOREThe Lotus Club regularly screens documentaries, curated by two Glasgow-based Japanese journalists, at the National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall.
READ MOREJoin Grosvenor Picture Theatre all through the summer for some classic Family friendly movie fun!
READ MORECome and join the team at Platform over the school summer holidays for a packed programme of free food and creative activities!
READ MOREOpen-air cinema returns to Queen's Park Arena this summer with a selection of 'Cults & Classics' themed films!
READ MOREJoin Trash Cinema this July for a grindhouse classic from exploitation king Jack Hill - Switchblade Sisters! Remember, you're nobody if you ain't in the gang.
READ MOREDon't miss a unique opportunity to discover the incredible story of iconic New York City video rental store Kim's Video within the setting of Scotland's national film archive.
READ MOREEnjoy a special Sip-Along Screening, with specially curated cocktails, of the Coen Brothers cult classic The Big Lebowski at The Grosvenor Picture Theatre on Friday 18th July!
READ MORE