August 2025 decisions news release

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, August 11) published advice on five medicines.

Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®) was accepted for use together with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma.

Ripretinib (Qinlock®) was accepted to treat adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), a rare type of cancer of the digestive system.  

Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa®) was accepted to treat adults with mantle cell lymphoma.

Mirikizumab (Omvoh®) was accepted to treat adults with Crohn’s disease.

Dupilumab (Dupixent®) was not recommended for use together with other medicines as a treatment for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is not controlled on current standard treatments.

SMC Vice Chair Graeme Bryson said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.

“Brentuximab vedotin, used together with chemotherapy, could help increase how long people with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma have before their cancer gets worse.

“Ripretinib provides a fourth-line treatment for advanced gastro-intestinal stromal tumours where currently there is no standard treatment available.

“Zanubrutinib offers an additional oral targeted treatment option for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have already received one or more lines of treatment.

“Mirikizumab offers an additional treatment option for people with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease whose disease is not controlled on standard or biologic treatment.

“The committee was unable to accept dupilumab for treating patients with COPD as the company’s evidence around the cost-effectiveness of the treatment was not sufficient. We would welcome a resubmission from the company.”