What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted capivasertib used together with the medicine fulvestrant to treat adults with breast cancer that is locally advanced (spread to nearby tissues) or metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body). It is used where the breast cancer has hormone receptors (is hormone receptor-positive), does not have a lot of a protein called HER2 (is HER2-negative) and has one or more alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes.
SMC has accepted capivasertib for restricted use. The restriction means it is accepted for use in the patients described above where their cancer has got worse despite treatment with a medicine called a CDK4/6 inhibitor plus a type of medicine called an aromatase inhibitor.
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of capivasertib by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2930).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Capivasertib 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, and
- A condition where patients taking current treatments are likely to live less than 3 years.
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.
- Information from patient groups about 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 organisations below can provide more information and support for people living with breast cancer and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
Breast Cancer Now
https://breastcancernow.org 0808 800 6000
METUP UK
https://metupuk.org.uk
Make 2nds Count
https://make2ndscount.co.uk
You can find out more about capivasertib (brand name: Truqap®) 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/