What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted blinatumomab for the treatment of adults with a rare aggressive type of leukaemia called Philadelphia chromosome negative CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receive several phases of treatment to induce disease remission and reduce the risk of relapse. Blinatumomab is used in the consolidation phase of chemotherapy treatment.
SMC has accepted blinatumomab for restricted use. The restriction means that it is accepted for use in the frontline consolidation phase, that is patients who are receiving consolidation treatment for the first time.
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of blinatumomab by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2808).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Blinatumomab for use as described above is available for prescribing on the NHS in Scotland. Your healthcare professional can discuss with you if it is the right treatment for you.
You can find more information about making decisions about your treatment in this booklet called: Medicines in Scotland: What’s the right treatment for me?
More about SMC’s decision
SMC’s decision takes into account a confidential discount offered by the pharmaceutical company. SMC was also able to be more flexible* in its decision-making because the medicine is for a rare condition.
How does SMC make its decision?
SMC carefully considers every new medicine to make sure it benefits patients and is likely to be a good use of NHS resources.
To do this SMC studies the following:
- Evidence from the company about how well the medicine works compared with current treatments available in Scotland, in relation to how much they will cost to buy and use to treat patients.
- Information from patient groups about the potential impact of the medicine on patients and carers.
- Advice from healthcare professionals about any benefits of the new medicine compared to current treatment, along with how the new medicine is likely to be used.
When SMC assesses a medicine it takes account of the needs of all patients in NHSScotland, not only those who may be treated with the medicine.
You can find out more about how SMC decides here: https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/how-we-decide/
More information and support
The organisation below can provide more information and support for people with leukaemia and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
Leukaemia Care
https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
0808 801 0444
You can find out more about blinatumomab (brand name: Blincyto®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.