December 2023 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly-licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, December 11) published advice on seven medicines.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu®) was accepted for treating adults with a type of breast cancer called HER2-low. It is the first medicine to be licensed for this type of breast cancer.
Cemiplimab (Libtayo®) was accepted for treating adults with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), a type of skin cancer. The medicine was accepted on an interim basis in January 2020 as there were uncertainties in the evidence. Following reassessment, it has now been accepted by SMC for routine use.
Nivolumab (Opdivo®) was accepted for the treatment of some patients with a type of lung cancer. Nivolumab is given before surgery to shrink the tumour.
Degarelix injection (Firmagon®) was accepted for treating adults with prostate cancer.
Deucravacitinib (Sotyktu®) was accepted for treating adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis.
Bimekizumab (Bimzelx®) was accepted for treating adults with axial spondyloarthritis, a form of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine.
Cipaglucosidase alfa (Pombiliti®) was accepted for treating adults with late-onset Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive weakness to the heart and skeletal muscle.
SMC Chair Dr Scott Muir said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept seven new medicines for a variety of conditions, including breast, skin, lung and prostate cancers.
“The additional evidence for cemiplimab, provided by the company and the lived experience shared via the Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) meeting, reassured the committee that cemiplimab is a valuable treatment for patients.
“Trastuzumab deruxtecan is more effective than current treatments and could increase the amount of time people will be able to spend with loved ones. We know how important this is to people with breast cancer and their families.”