June 2022 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHSScotland, has today (Monday June 13) published advice on four new medicines.
Relugolix combination therapy (Ryeqo, which combines the medicines relugolix, estradiol and norethisterone acetate) was accepted for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms from uterine fibroids in adult women of reproductive age. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb and can cause symptoms such as heavy and painful periods, and abdominal and back pain. This combination therapy offers a treatment option if therapies currently available have not worked well enough.
Abrocitinib (Cibinqo) was accepted for the treatment of adults and adolescents 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. This type of eczema is a long-term condition which causes the skin to become inflamed, itchy and dry. Abrocitinib is used in patients who need a systemic therapy - a treatment that acts throughout the body such as an oral or injectable medicine. It provides another treatment option where other systemic therapies have not worked well enough or are not suitable. A patient group submission highlighted that as an oral treatment taken at home, abrocitinib is convenient and may be preferred over injections.
The committee was unable to accept ixekizumab (Taltz) for the treatment of active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), a form of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine (also known as ankylosing spondyloarthritis and non-radiographic axSpA). Ixekizumab was not recommended as the evidence provided by the company on the benefits of using this medicine compared to current treatment options was not strong enough.
The committee was also unable to accept tepotinib (Tepmetko) for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with a rare genetic mutation. The clinical evidence in the company submission was based on a single-arm clinical trial, which means there is no comparison with placebo or another treatment. Tepotinib was not recommended as there was uncertainty around its clinical and cost effectiveness compared to other options currently available for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
SMC chairman Mark MacGregor said:
“I am pleased that we were able to accept two medicines for use by NHSScotland.”
“Relugolix combination therapy will provide a treatment for patients living with uterine fibroids where conventional therapies have not worked well enough or where the patient cannot take them.”
“We know from a patient group submission that moderate to severe atopic dermatitis can affect all aspects of a patient’s life including sleep, the ability to engage in everyday activities and attend school or work. We hope that our decision on abrocitinib may help improve patients’ daily lives.”
“The committee was unable to accept ixekizumab as there was uncertainty around the benefits of this medicine compared to current treatments.”
“We were also unable to accept tepotinib as the evidence provided by the company on the clinical and cost effectiveness compared to current treatment options was not clear.”