March 2023 decisions news release

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly-licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday 13 March) published advice on three medicines. All these medicines were considered through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process, which is used for medicines for end of life and rare conditions.

Pralsetinib (Gavreto®) was accepted on an interim basis for the treatment of a rare type of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The medicine will be available while further information is gathered. Following this SMC will review the evidence and make a decision on routine availability in NHSScotland.

Bulevirtide (Hepcludex®) was accepted for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in adults with liver disease. HDV is a rare and more severe type of hepatitis.

Nintedanib (Ofev®) was accepted for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic, progressive lung disease. Previous SMC advice restricted nintedanib to use only in patients with more advanced disease. This advice means that patients will be able to access treatment earlier.

SMC chair Mark MacGregor said: “SMC has accepted pralsetinib for use on an interim basis. The clinical evidence is promising but highly uncertain. The committee look forward to reviewing the updated evidence when available to ensure that this treatment offers good value to patients in NHSScotland.”