March 2026 decisions news release

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday, March 9) published advice on five medicines.

Vorasidenib (Voranigo®) was accepted to treat adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with certain types of brain tumour known as astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas.

Vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor (Alyftrek®) was accepted for the treatment of people aged six years and older who have cystic fibrosis. It is for people who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. 

Omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) was not recommended for the treatment of patients aged 16 years and older with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare inherited condition that causes damage to the nervous system.

Zilucoplan (Zilbrysq®) was not recommended for the treatment of adults with generalised myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune condition that causes muscle weakness.

Seladelpar (Livdelzi®) was not recommended for the treatment of adults with primary biliary cholangitis, a rare liver disease.

SMC Chair Professor Scott Muir said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.

“We heard powerful testimony from patient groups about the impact of astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma brain tumours on patients and families. Vorasidenib will provide a new treatment option that can slow the progression of the tumour and delay the need for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“Vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor provides a new triple combination treatment for people with cystic fibrosis.

“The committee was unable to accept omaveloxolone for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. The company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment was not sufficient.

“The committee was also unable to accept zilucoplan for the treatment of generalised myasthenia gravis as the company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient.

“The committee was also unable to accept seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis as the company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient.

“For the medicines we were unable to accept we would welcome resubmissions from the companies addressing the issues we have raised.”