April 2026 decisions news release

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, April 13) published advice on six medicines.

Osimertinib (Tagrisso®) was accepted to treat adults with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, where the cancer cells have certain mutations.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) with chemoradiotherapy was accepted for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Sotatercept (Winrevair®) was accepted in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), to improve exercise capacity. PAH is a condition that causes abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

Nemolizumab (Nemluvio®) was accepted for the treatment of adults and children 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema.

Acalabrutinib (Calquence®) was accepted for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, who have not yet received treatment.

Dostarlimab (Jemperli®) was not recommended, when used in combination with chemotherapy, for the treatment of a specific type of advanced endometrial cancer.

SMC Chair Professor Scott Muir said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.

“Osimertinib offers the potential to delay the progression of disease in patients with certain types of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

“Pembrolizumab used together with chemoradiotherapy offers improved survival outcomes for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

“Sotatercept offers a new treatment option for PAH that can help reduce the burden of symptoms.

“Nemolizumab provides another treatment option for atopic dermatitis which may allow some patients to better manage their condition.

“The committee was unable to accept dostarlimab for the treatment of this group of patients with endometrial cancer. The company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment was not sufficient. We would welcome a resubmission from the company addressing the issues we have raised.”