October 2021 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland has today (Monday 11 October) published advice accepting three new medicines.
Olaparib (Lynparza) was accepted for the treatment of prostate cancer with a specific gene mutation and is the first targeted treatment for patients with this condition. The medicine was considered through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process, which is used for medicines for end of life and rare conditions. In the PACE meeting, participants highlighted that patients living with this condition can experience symptoms such as pain, bladder and bowel problems, fatigue and anaemia. Olaparib is administered orally, potentially reducing the number of hospital trips required compared to current treatment options such as chemotherapy. Olaparib can prolong the time until the disease progresses and may have fewer side effects than current treatment options.
Cabotegravir (Vocabria), in combination with rilpivirine, was accepted for the treatment of adults living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV 1) infection. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are administered by injection into a muscle, by a healthcare professional, every two months. This is the first long-acting injectable treatment for HIV. Some people may prefer this to the current daily pill-based treatment options.
The committee also accepted chloroprocaine hydrochloride (Ampres), a spinal anaesthesia for planned day-case surgical procedures not exceeding 40 minutes.
The committee was unable to accept liraglutide (Saxenda) for use to treat obesity in adults. Liraglutide was not recommended as the evidence provided by the company was not strong enough to satisfy the committee that it offers value for money to NHSScotland.
SMC chairman Mark MacGregor said:
“The committee is pleased to be able to accept these three medicines for use by NHSScotland.”
“Olaparib is the first targeted treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Participants in our PACE meeting told us of the heavy symptom burden for those living with this condition and how highly valued this treatment will be.”
“For those living with HIV, cabotegravir injection offers another option compared to current treatments that all require tablets to be taken every day.”
“The chloroprocaine hydrochloride injection offers an additional option for planned surgical procedures lasting less than 40 minutes.”
“We were unable to accept liraglutide as the evidence provided by the company was not strong enough to satisfy the committee of its cost effectiveness.”