November 2022 decisions news release

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on the use of newly licensed medicines by NHSScotland, has today (Monday 7 November), published advice on six new medicines.

Asciminib (Scemblix®) was accepted as a treatment option for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase, who have received prior treatments. It was considered through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process, which is used for medicines for end of life and rare conditions.

Zanubrutinib (Brukinska®) was accepted as a treatment for some adults with Waldenströms macroglobulinaemia, a rare incurable B-cell cancer. It was also considered through the PACE process.

Belimumab (Benlysta®) was accepted as an add-on treatment for some adults with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with a high degree of disease activity despite standard therapy.

Finerenone (Kerendia®) was accepted for the treatment of chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes in adults.

Faricimab (Vabysmo®) was accepted as a treatment for adults with visual impairments due to diabetic macular oedema (DMO).

Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) was accepted for the treatment of adults with ankylosing spondylitis, a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed, who have not responded to conventional therapy.

SMC chairman Mark MacGregor said: “I am pleased we have been able to accept six new medicines for a range of conditions.

“Chronic myeloid leukaemia causes symptoms that can include fatigue, pain, frequent infections and the impact can reduce the quality of life for patients, families and carers. Asciminib provides an additional option for patients where there are limited treatments to choose from.”

 “Zanubrutinib offers an oral treatment option that, compared with some treatments, will enable patients to spend less time in hospital and may improve quality of life for them, their family and carers.”