What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted cabozantinib for use to treat adults with neuroendocrine tumours that cannot be removed by surgery or have spread to other parts of the body and are pancreatic (pNET; tumours of the hormone producing cells in the pancreas) or extra-pancreatic (epNET; tumours of the hormone producing cells in the lungs, gut or other organs), where the cancer has not responded to at least one previous treatment (other than a type of medicine called a somatostatin analogue).
SMC has accepted cabozantinib for restricted use. The restriction means it can be used in patients where best supportive care (treatment to relieve symptoms and maximise quality of life rather than actively treat the cancer) would otherwise be considered.
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of cabozantinib by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2967).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Cabozantinib for use as described above is available for prescribing on the NHS in Scotland. Your healthcare professional can discuss with you if it is the right treatment for you.
You can find more information about making decisions about your treatment here: Medicines in Scotland: What’s the right treatment for me?
More about SMC’s decision
SMC’s decision takes into account a confidential discount offered by the pharmaceutical company. SMC was also able to be more flexible* in its decision-making because the medicine is for a rare condition.
How does SMC make its decision?
SMC carefully considers every new medicine to make sure it benefits patients and is likely to be a good use of NHS resources.
To do this SMC studies the following:
- Evidence from the company about how well the medicine works compared with current treatments available in Scotland, in relation to how much they will cost to buy and use to treat patients.
- The potential impact of the medicine on patients and carers.
- Advice from healthcare professionals about any benefits of the new medicine compared to current treatment, along with how the new medicine is likely to be used.
When SMC assesses a medicine it takes account of the needs of all patients in NHSScotland, not only those who may be treated with the medicine.
You can find out more about how SMC decides here: https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/how-we-decide/
More information and support
The organisation below can provide more information and support for people with neuroendocrine cancer and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
Neuroendocrine Cancer UK
https://www.neuroendocrinecancer.org.uk
0800 434 6476
You can find out more about: cabozantinib (brand name: Cabozantinib Ipsen®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.
https://products.mhra.gov.uk/