"The Price of Life" Reporting back on film screening and panel discussion

Published: 29 November 2023

In November 2023, the Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) team was pleased to host a community engagement event exploring decision-making in health technology assessment (HTA), aimed at demystifying processes and considering challenges

On 22 November 2023, around 100 people attended a HEHTA-hosted community engagement event at UofG's Advanced Research Centre (ARC), exploring decision-making in health technology assessment (HTA). 

Photo of speakers at a HEHTA film screening in November 2023

The aim of the event was to demystify HTA processes, and to consider some of the challenges of decision-making.

Joined by around 100 attendees, the evening started with a screening of "The Price of Life" a documentary by the award-winning film-maker Adam Wishart. It focuses on decision-making by NICE on Revlimid (lenalidomide), a drug for multiple myeloma, and captures the perspectives of a range of stakeholders, including patients and their families, and clinicians.

Photo of audience members at a HEHTA film screening in Nov 2023

This was followed by a panel discussion on HTA decision-making on drugs for cystic fibrosis. One of our researchers, Ryan Mulholland, introduced the discussion by providing some context on recent appraisals by NICE and SMC on the CFTR modulators, Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symkevi, and Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis. The panel, chaired by our deputy director Prof Emma McIntosh, consisted of:

  • Thomas Ferguson, a person living with cystic fibrosis and involved in campaigning for access to CFTR modulators in Scotland
  • Marion Ferguson, campaigner for access to CFTR modulators in Scotland
  • Jeane Freeman, Dean of Strategic Community Engagement and Economic Development, and former Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
  • Prof Gordon MacGregor, consultant in respiratory medicine specialising in cystic fibrosis
  • Prof Olivia Wu, Director of HEHTA

Photo of audience members listening to a speaker at a HEHTA film screening in Nov 2023

In discussing decision-making on these cystic fibrosis drugs, panellists offered insightful and compelling contributions on a range of areas, including:

  • the impact of cystic fibrosis on patients and carers
  • the benefits of CFTR modulators
  • the roles of HTA bodies and governments in price negotiations, measurement of health outcomes, perspectives in economic evaluations, and spillover effects.  

Finally, there was a range of thought-provoking questions to the panel from our engaged audience.

Photo of speakers and chair at HEHTA film screening in November 2023

Following the success of this event, the HEHTA team are keen to develop further similar events in the future. If you would like to be updated on future events, please subscribe to our mailing list by contacting shw-hehta@glasgow.ac.uk

Ryan Mulholland
Research Assistant (Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment)

Find out about other HEHTA events

First published: 29 November 2023

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