Question reference: S6W-06767
- Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 24 February 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Healthcare Improvement Scotland is currently reviewing the use of Palforzia for children with peanut allergies; if so, what the anticipated timescale is for (a) it to produce its recommendations and (b) these to be implemented by NHS Scotland, and, if not, whether such a review will be under taken as a priority in order give children in Scotland access to this treatment, in light of it being available in England and Wales.
Answer
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has advised that it is in discussions with the manufacturer of Palforzia ® , Aimmune Therapeutics UK Limited, regarding their plans for a submission to the SMC’s appraisal process. The decision to make a submission, and the timing of that submission, are entirely for the manufacturer to make. Information on SMC timelines and submission scheduling can be found here . Once the manufacturer has provided the Palforzia ® submission to the SMC, information on the specific timelines for this assessment will be available via the search facility available on the home page of the SMC’s website here . After a submission is received and scheduled for review by the SMC, the resulting advice is e published and takes effect for NHS Scotland from the month following the review meeting.
As soon as the medicine is submitted to the SMC for appraisal, Health Boards have procedures in place using the Peer Approved Clinical System “PACS Tier Two” process which provides an opportunity for doctors, on a case by case basis for individual patients, to request the use of the medicine in advance of the SMC completing the appraisal process and issuing its advice.