By Lucy Ashton
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde consultant has been named as the new Scottish Medicines Consortium Chair.
Dr Scott Muir, who is a consultant physician at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and clinical pharmacologist will lead the SMC until 2026, taking over from previous chair Mark MacGregor.
The SMC is the national advisory body on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new medicines for NHS Scotland and each month provides advice on proposed medicines, including reviewing and providing early access to medicines for rare diseases.
Dr Muir, who until recently served on the SMC’s New Drugs Committee, said: “I’m honoured to be taking on this new role and I’m looking forward to the new challenge ahead.
“As a consultant I work closely with patients every day and the key strength of the SMC is its dedicated team of professionals and patient group partners who ensure that the patient perspective is at the heart of everything we aim to do.”
During his career, Dr Muir has run clinical trials on cardiovascular medicine and, since 2018, worked as the chair of the Area Drugs and Therapeutics Committee, which makes local decisions on medicines.
As part Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the SMC’s committee is made up of NHS board representatives, clinicians, pharmacists, members of the public and the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr Muir added: “At SMC we’re looking to provide the best possible advice on clinical and cost effectiveness for every new licensed medicine. As a team, I hope we’re able to build on the work of the previous chair and that we can continue to provide the very best advice on new medicines for the people of Scotland.”
NHSGGC Medical Director Jennifer Armstrong said: “We’re delighted to hear that Scott has been named as the new Chair of the SMC, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on this achievement.
“On behalf of his NHSGGC’s colleagues, I would like to wish Scott every success in his new role.”