March 2024 decisions news release

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

Talazoparib (Talzenna®) was accepted for treating adults with BRCA1 or 2 mutated HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

Olaparib (Lynparza®) was accepted for use together with another cancer medicine for treating patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Ivosidenib (Tibsovo®) was accepted for treating adults with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.

Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (Produodopa®) was accepted for the treatment of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease.

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) was not recommended for treating adults with two different types of blood cancer - diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma, when they have only received one prior therapy.

SMC Chair Dr Scott Muir said: “We are pleased to be able to accept these four new medicines for use by NHSScotland.

“Talazoparib is the first targeted treatment to be made available for this rare type of advanced breast cancer.

“People with prostate cancer have told us how important it is to have treatment options so we know they will welcome the availability of olaparib.

“Ivosidenib will provide a treatment for leukaemia patients where the cancer cells have a rare genetic mutation and where the patient cannot receive standard chemotherapy.

“Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa could help Parkinson’s patients with severe mobility problems that are not eligible for deep brain stimulation.

“The committee was not able to accept extending the use of axicabtagene ciloleucel to adults with lymphoma, who have only received one prior therapy. We would welcome a resubmission from the company.”