July 2026 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, July 13) published advice on six medicines.
Fezolinetant (Veoza®) was accepted for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to the menopause, in those who cannot take HRT. Vasomotor symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats.
Tebentafusp (Kimmtrak®) was accepted for the treatment of adults with advanced uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is a rare type of cancer of the eye.
Glofitamab (Columvi®) was accepted, when used with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, for the treatment of adults with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, which has relapsed or not responded to treatment and where the patient cannot have a stem cell transplant. Diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer.
Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) was accepted, when used with gemcitabine and cisplatin along with surgery, for adults with bladder cancer that has spread into the muscle layer but can be removed by surgery.
Benralizumab (Fasenra®) was accepted as an add-on treatment for adults with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This is a rare autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation of small and medium blood vessels, causing damage throughout the body.
Avapritinib (Ayvakyt®) was not recommended for the treatment of adults with advanced systemic mastocytosis. Mastocytosis is a condition where the body makes too many abnormal mast cells, a type of white blood cell.
SMC Chair, Dr Rob Peel, said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.
“We know that menopausal hot flushes and night sweats can substantially affect quality of life. For those who cannot take HRT, effective treatment options are limited. Fezolinetant provides a non-hormonal treatment option, and we know our decision will be welcomed.
“Tebentafusp is the first licensed treatment available for advanced uveal melanoma that offers a survival benefit, and we know our decision will be welcomed by patients and their families.
“Glofitamab offers improved survival outcomes for patients with advanced DLBCL who cannot have a stem cell transplant, compared with currently available treatments.
“Adding durvalumab to the current treatment for bladder cancer that has spread into the muscle layer offers survival benefits.
“Benralizumab offers an effective targeted treatment for adults with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, that can help patients achieve remission from this rare impactful condition.
“The committee was unable to accept avapritinib for the treatment of advanced systemic mastocytosis. The company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared with other options was not sufficient.
“We would welcome a resubmission from the company addressing the issues we have raised.”