With regard to the above NICE Single Technology Appraisal No 109: Docetaxel for the adjuvant treatment of early node-positive breast cancer (http://guidance.nice.org.uk/TA109) also published 27 September 2006, the SMC advice on this medication for this indication is:
Docetaxel is accepted for use within NHS Scotland in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for the adjuvant treatment of operable, node-positive breast cancer
In this case, there is no material difference between the NICE STA No 109 and the SMC recommendation.
NHS Scotland should note that:
1. NHS Boards should continue to adhere to the SMC advice. In the absence of SMC advice, the NICE STA is for noting only.
2. The new NICE single technology appraisal process is being monitored by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, Scottish Executive Health Department and Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for a period of time. During this period recommendations of NICE STAs will be only for noting by NHS Scotland in the knowledge that SMC have already issued advice on the medicine which NHSScotland should follow.
3. Hard copies of the NICE appraisals are available from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (contact Shonagh Buchanan, tel 0141 225 6993 or email shonagh.buchanan@nhshealthquality.org)
