Patient Access Seminar will explore route to life-changing medicines

On 28 May, Scotland will host its first Patient Access Seminar, a landmark event exploring how patients in Scotland gain access to innovative medicines in Scotland.

Taking place at the DoubleTree Hilton hotel, the event will delve into the unique approach, processes and pathways enabling Scottish patients to access vital, innovative medicines at fair prices.

Hosted by AXIS, a firm of reimbursement experts in partnership with the Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG), the event will bring together businesses from the Scottish patient access ecosystem. The seminar is intended to highlight the specific processes that make access to medicines easier, and will create opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the different perspectives of those involved in supporting access of medicines to patients.

This unique event will provide an open platform to foster meaningful dialogue and identify practical solutions that can enhance healthcare outcomes in Scotland.
“At the heart of this conference is mutual recognition and collaboration,” said Brenda Dooley, Chief Executive at AXIS and Managing Secretariat of EMIG Scotland. “This event is about finding common ground, focusing on the strides Scotland has taken to maximise access and doing more of that to ensure patients are at the heart of decision making across the stakeholder community.

Exploring Scotland’s healthcare landscape

The Patient Access Seminar will spotlight the specific strengths of the Scottish system since the publication of the Montgomery report almost 10 years ago – including the Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process and Ultra-Orphan Medicine Pathway facilitating early access to new orphan drugs.

While recognising the challenges around expediting access to new treatments – Scotland was ranked twelfth for availability to new medicines in the latest EFPIA Patients W.A.I.T Indicator Report – this event will focus on the innovative approaches and schemes Scotland has taken to support equitable access to promising new medicines, heralding the nation as an example for other countries to follow.

Scotland’s first Patient Access Seminar will feature two expert-led panel discussions with several keynote speakers, addressing topics such as the role of research and evidence generation, access routes to medicines treating rare diseases, the impact of the PACE approach, and the evolution of the Scottish healthcare system.

Speakers include prominent figures shaping the Scottish healthcare landscape, such as Professor Alison Strath, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for the Scottish Government, Sir Michael Ferguson, Regius Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, Dr Jane Haley, MBE, Director of Research, MND Scotland and Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Scotland. Crucially, the patient voice, delivered through Patient Groups and individuals themselves, will be given the chance to share their views and experiences.

By sharing expert insights alongside personal accounts, the event aims to capture the human impact of industry processes and help bridge the gap between policy and practice to ensure patients are at the heart of decision-making across all stakeholders.

A catalyst for change

Brenda Dooley emphasised the importance of collaboration, and said: “Scotland has the potential to lead the way in early patient access. But to do so, we need to focus on what works well in the system and do more of it – patients are counting on us all.”

The seminar aligns with Scotland’s commitment to advancing healthcare innovation while recognising the economic realities of healthcare funding. By shining a light on solutions like streamlined reimbursement processes and enhanced communication among stakeholders, it aims to deliver actionable strategies for overcoming existing barriers.

This event is free of charge and will run from 10 am to 4 pm on 28 May at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Edinburgh Airport.