Briefing Note: epoetin alfa (Binocrit)

SMC accepted epoetin alfa for use:

-as treatment for anaemia associated with chronic renal failure in adults and children on haemodialysis and adults on peritoneal dialysis

-as treatment for severe anaemia originating in the kidneys in adults with clinical symptoms and renal insufficiency not yet undergoing dialysis.

• Kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells that contain a protein called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin carries oxygen around the body. When haemoglobin cannot be produced in normal amounts then the body does not receive enough oxygen to meet its needs. This is called anaemia. It occurs in patients with kidney disease, because the damaged kidneys cannot produce enough erythropoietin. Anticancer drugs can also cause anaemia by destroying red blood cells as they grow and divide.
• Binocrit® is a drug given by injection which acts like the hormone erythropoietin and is one of a class of drugs called erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA). It increases the amount of red blood cells and haemoglobin produced.

SMC briefing note 5

• A study has shown that Binocrit® is similar to, but not an exact copy of, epoetin alfa (Eprex®) and is as effective.
• Binocrit® has similar side effects to Eprex® in patients undergoing dialysis. Important risks associated with any erythropoietin treatment are pure red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia), unwanted blood clotting and the potential to promote growth of cancer cells.
• SMC accepted Binocrit® for use in NHSScotland because it could offer value for money, costing less than some similar treatments.