What has SMC said?
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted vutrisiran for the treatment of adults with hereditary or wild-type (develops with age) transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). ATTR-CM is a rare condition in which protein fibres called amyloid, build up in tissues around the heart, causing damage to the heart.
SMC has accepted vutrisiran for restricted use. The restriction means that it is accepted to treat the patients described above by itself (as monotherapy), rather than together with other ATTR-CM disease modifying treatments (such as tafamidis).
This document summarises the SMC decision and what it means for patients.
You can find more detailed information about the SMC assessment of vutrisiran by looking at the SMC Detailed Advice Document (SMC2900).
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 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 ATTR-CM and their families. SMC is not responsible for the content of any information provided by external organisations.
Amyloidosis UK
https://amyloidosisuk.org
You can find out more about vutrisiran (brand name: Amvuttra®) in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) by searching for the medicine name on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.
https://products.mhra.gov.uk/