remdesivir (Veklury)

Following SMC collaboration with NICE on TA971: remdesivir and tixagevimab plus cilgavimab for treating COVID-19:

remdesivir (Veklury®) is accepted for restricted use within NHSScotland.

Indication under review: treatment of COVID-19 in:

• adults and paediatric patients (at least 4 weeks of age and weighing at least 3 kg) with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at start of treatment).
• adults and paediatric patients (weighing at least 40 kg) who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.

SMC restriction:

as an option for treating COVID-19 in hospitals in

• adults, only if they have a high risk of serious illness (risk factors as defined in section 5 of NICE’s technology appraisal of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, sotrovimab and tocilizumab for treating COVID-19).
• babies, children and young people, only if they:
  -  are aged 4 weeks to 17 years and weigh at least 3 kg, and have pneumonia and need supplemental oxygen, or
  -  weigh at least 40 kg and have a high risk of serious illness (risk factors as defined in section 5 of NICE’s technology appraisal guidance on nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, sotrovimab and tocilizumab for treating COVID-19).

This advice applies only in the context of approved NHSScotland Patient Access Scheme (PAS) arrangements delivering the cost-effectiveness results upon which the decision was based, or PAS/ list prices that are equivalent or lower.