SCOTTISH MEDICINES CONSORTIUM

NHS SCOTLAND

Providing advice about the status of all newly licensed medicines

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488 08 pegylated interferon alpha 2b (ViraferonPeg)

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

pegylated interferon a 2b (ViraferonPeg) in combination with ribavirin (Rebetol) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C

PEGYLATED INTERFERON a 2b (VIRAFERONPEG)

Pegylated interferon a 2b (ViraferonPeg) in combination with ribavirin (Rebetol) is accepted for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C who have failed previous treatment with interferon alfa (pegylated or non-pegylated) and ribavirin combination therapy or interferon alfa (pegylated or non-pegylated) monotherapy.
A sustained virologic response rate of 23% was achieved in a study where relapsed or non-responding patients were treated with peginterferon 2b and ribavirin.
The manufacturer estimated that the budget impact would be £287k in year one rising to £546k in year five, including drug and monitoring costs.

Notes for editors – Glossary:

1. Soft tissue sarcoma - Soft tissue sarcoma is a cancer of the soft tissues. Soft tissues connect, support or surround other tissues. Examples include your muscles, tendons, fat and blood vessels.

2. Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C is an infection with the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C virus is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.

3. Post-herpetic neuralgia – This is a nerve pain (neuralgia) that persists after a shingles rash has cleared. Shingles is an infection of a nerve caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

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 Colin McAllister on 07813 095 930

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