Transdermal fentanyl (Durogesic D Trans®) Patches

Following an abbreviated submission.

Transdermal fentanyl (Durogesic D Trans) patch is accepted for restricted use within NHSScotland for patients with chronic intractable pain due to non-malignant conditions. It should be considered as a second-line alternative, reserved for patients whose pain has initially been controlled by oral means, the pain being stable. Its use should focus on patients who have difficulty swallowing or have problems with opiate-induced constipation.

This reiterates advice issued by SMC in January 2003 following the extension of the licence for transdermal fentanyl (Durogesic®) patch to include non-malignant pain. SMC has not assessed transdermal fentanyl in its original indication for intractable pain due to cancer.

Note that, although the new formulation is the same price as the previous patches, it remains significantly more expensive than oral therapy.