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SMC ISSUES ADVICE ON NEW DRUGS

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) today (Monday) accepted the following new drug for use within NHSScotland:

• pemetrexed (Alimta) in combination with cisplatin for the first line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) other than predominantly squamous cell histology (restricted)

Further Details:

PEMETREXED (ALIMTA)

• Pemetrexed (Alimta) is accepted for restricted use within NHSScotland in combination with cisplatin for the first line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) other than predominantly squamous cell histology.
• It is restricted to patients in whom histology has been confirmed as adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma.
• In a planned subgroup analysis of a study comparing pemetrexed plus cisplatin with another platinum-based combination regimen, treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin resulted in an improvement in median survival in patients with a non-squamous (adenocarcinoma plus large cell carcinoma) histology.
• The gross drug budget impact of pemetrexed/cisplatin is estimated to be £301k in year 1 rising to £1.4 million by year 5, based on 45 patients (17% of adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma patients) expected to receive pemetrexed in year 1 and 206 patients (75% market share) in year 5.

Notes for editors – Glossary:

• Adenocarcinoma – cancer of airway cells that produce mucus.

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.