What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted relugolix, for the treatment of:
- adult patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
- adults with high-risk localised and locally advanced hormone dependent prostate cancer, used together with radiotherapy
- as treatment given prior to radiotherapy (known as neo-adjuvant treatment) in patients with high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone dependent prostate cancer
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of relugolix by looking at the SMC detailed advice document (SMC2678).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Relugolix 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 in this booklet called: Medicines in Scotland: What’s the right treatment for me?
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: htps://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/how-we-decide/
More information and support
The organisations below can give more information and support for people with prostate cancer and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
Prostate Cancer UK
https://prostatecanceruk.org 0800 074 8383
Prostate Scotland
https://www.prostatescotland.org.uk
Tackle Prostate Cancer
You can find out more about relugolix (brand name: Orgovyx®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.