NHS SCOTLAND
Providing advice about the status of all newly licensed medicines
The horizon scanning function, introduced in 2005, is now an established element of SMC's remit. The aim is to improve financial planning at Health Board level through the provision of early intelligence on new medicines in development. The horizon scanning team, comprising pharmacists and management accountants, gathers intelligence on these medicines through engagement with clinical specialists across Scotland as well as the pharmaceutical industry. The annual horizon scanning report, entitled Forward Look, is issued to Health Boards each October.
Four Forward Look reports have been produced to date, featuring medicines expected to become available for use in the following 12 to 18 months with the potential to have a moderate to high net impact on the drug budget and/or significant implications for service delivery. The report includes an estimate of uptake of the new medicine in the target population and the corresponding potential budget impact in years 1 and 5. The budget impact estimates take account of the anticipated costs and savings associated with the new medicine; for example, this might involve offsetting the costs of a displaced medicine or adding the costs of any additional treatment monitoring required.
Due to the commercial in confidence nature of the content, Forward Look reports are sent in strict confidence to named Health Board personnel including those involved in horizon scanning or financial planning. Health Board Directors of Finance also receive a set of summary financial spreadsheets that can be adapted locally as required.