liraglutide (Victoza)

following a full submission:

liraglutide (Victoza) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland.

Licensed indication under review: Liraglutide for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic control:

- in combination with metformin or a sulphonylurea, in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin or sulphonylurea;

- in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea or metformin and a thiazolidinedione in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite dual therapy.

Five randomised controlled studies have demonstrated efficacy of liraglutide against relevant comparators in terms of the primary endpoint, change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) after 26 weeks of treatment.

Restriction: Liraglutide is restricted to use as a third-line antidiabetic agent.

The economic case for second-line use, added to metformin in place of a sulphonylurea, has not been demonstrated.