What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted cabotegravir to prevent sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection (pre-exposure prophylaxisis; PrEP) in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 35 kg and who are at high risk of being infected. It should be used in combination with safer sex practices, such as using condoms.
SMC has accepted cabotegravir for restricted use. The restriction means that cabotegravir is accepted for use as described above in people who are eligible for PrEP, where oral PrEP is not suitable to meet their HIV prevention needs.
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of cabotegravir by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2718).
What does SMC’s decision mean for patients?
Cabotegravir 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.
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
- 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
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 organisations below can provide more information and support for people with HIV and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
National AIDS Trust
Waverley Care
You can find out more about cabotegravir (Apretude®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.