399 07 pioglitazone tablets (Actos)
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) today (Monday) accepted the following new drug for use within NHSScotland:
- Pioglitazone (Actos) in combination with insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Further Details:
PIOGLITAZONE (ACTOS)
- Pioglitazone (Actos) is accepted in combination with insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with insufficient glycaemic control on insulin for whom metformin is inappropriate because of contraindications or intolerance.
- Pioglitazone improved glycaemic control when added to insulin in the relevant patient population.
- The manufacturer estimated the budget impact of using pioglitazone as being £76k in year one rising to £107k in year five. If the costs of insulin, monitoring and nurse visits required by these patients were taken into account then the gross direct cost was estimated to be £266k in year one rising to £377k in year five.
Notes for editors – Glossary:
1. Diabetes mellitus – This condition occurs when the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes higher than normal. With Type 2 diabetes, the illness and symptoms tend to develop gradually (over weeks or months), because in Type 2 diabetes the body still make insulin.
Notes for editors – About SMC:
1. The SMC advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) in Scotland about the use of all newly licensed medicines, all new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. It does this after new medicines have been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) / European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA).
2. The SMC process encourages pharmaceutical manufacturers to make a submission before a product is launched. The aim is to issue advice as soon as possible after the launch of a product.
3. Membership of the SMC has been derived from NHS Boards across Scotland. Membership is wide ranging across multi-disciplines of NHS Scotland and also includes members of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), and patient and voluntary group representatives.
4. This advice represents the views of the Scottish Medicines Consortium and was arrived at after careful consideration of the available evidence. Health professionals are expected to take due account of this recommendation when exercising their clinical judgement. This recommendation does not, however, override the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions in the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.
For further information, contact Stephen Ferguson on 07779 329 689 or Colin McAllister on 07813 095930