What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted selpercatinib, for treating adults and adolescents 12 years and older with advanced thyroid cancer that is caused by changes in a gene called RET that mean the cancer is known as RET fusion positive. It is used in patients where radioactive iodine has not worked (if it can be used).
SMC has accepted selpercatinib for restricted use. The restriction means that it is accepted for use where the patient needs a systemic therapy (a treatment that acts throughout the body, such as an oral medicine, injection or infusion) and has not had one yet.
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of selpercatinib by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2733).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Selpercatinib 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?
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.
- 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/howwe-decide/
More information and support
The organisations below can provide more information and support for people with thyroid cancer and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
The Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust
https://www.butterfly.org.uk 0739 956 4463
British Thyroid Foundation
You can find out more about selpercatinib (brand name: Retsevmo®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.