February 2025 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, February 10) published advice on seven medicines.
Cabotegravir (Apretude®) was accepted to help prevent sexually transmitted HIV-1 infections in adults and adolescents who are at high risk of being infected.
Cemiplimab (Libtayo®) was accepted for the treatment of adults with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, where the cancer has progressed on or after chemotherapy.
Olaparib (Lynparza®) was accepted for the treatment of adults with BRCA1 or 2 mutated HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, who have already received appropriate treatments for their type of breast cancer.
Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) was accepted for use together with chemotherapy for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
Fenfluramine (Fintepla®) was accepted for use as an add-on to other anti-epileptic medicines to treat a serious, rare type of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Netarsudil/latanoprost (Roclanda®) was accepted to lower the pressure in the eyes of adult patients with ocular hypertension, high pressure in the eye or an eye condition called glaucoma.
Lecanemab (Leqembi®) was not recommended to treat the early stages of Alzheimer's disease in adults who carry one or no copies of a gene called ApoE4.
SMC Chair Dr Scott Muir said: “The committee was pleased to be able to accept six new medicines for use by NHSScotland.
“Cabotegravir, when used together with safer sex practices may help to reduce the spread of HIV, which is an ongoing priority for the Scottish Government.
“Cemiplimab offers a second line treatment option for patients with advanced cervical cancer, where there are few others.
“SMC welcomed the submission for lecanamab and recognises the need for new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Having considered all the evidence, we were unable to accept lecanamab for treatment in the NHS in Scotland.
“The committee felt that there remains uncertainty around what the modest clinical benefit means for patients and their families and, in addition, the cost-effective estimates supplied by the company were too high.
“We would welcome a resubmission from the company with changes to address the uncertainties.”