April 2018 decisions news release
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), has today (Monday 9 April) published advice accepting five new medicines for use by NHSScotland.
Teduglutide (Revestive) was accepted for the treatment of paediatric onset short bowel syndrome in children aged 1 – 17 years. Short bowel syndrome is an extremely rare condition in which nutrients and fluids are not properly absorbed by the gut. Through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process for medicines used to treat very rare and end of life conditions, it was highlighted that patients with short bowel syndrome are usually given nutrients as an infusion directly into their veins (a process known as parenteral nutrition). Teduglutide can reduce the level of parenteral nutrition that is required, enabling patients and their carers to experience an improved quality of life.
The committee accepted two medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver, resulting in inflammation and significant damage. There are several strains of hepatitis C, called genotypes. Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir (Vosevi) was accepted for the treatment of hepatitis C in adults who have failed to respond to previous treatment with targeted anti-viral therapy. There is no other treatment option currently available for this patient group. This medicine was also accepted for use in adults with hepatitis C genotype 3 who have not been treated with targeted anti-viral therapy and are suitable for an eight week course of treatment. Another medicine, sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (Epclusa), was also accepted for the treatment of hepatitis C in patients with genotype 1 or 4 infection. SMC has previously published separate advice for sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, so this medicine is now available for the treatment of all hepatitis C genotypes.
Sarilumab (Kevzara) was accepted for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes progressive and irreversible joint damage with increased disability over time. Sarilumab provides a further treatment option for adult patients with severe disease who have not responded to or are intolerant of standard therapies.
Also accepted was dimethyl fumarate (Skilarence) for plaque psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition disease that causes thickened, red and inflamed areas of skin with scaly patches.
SMC Chairman Dr Alan MacDonald said:
“The committee is pleased to be able to accept these five medicines.”
“Teduglutide has the potential to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from short bowel syndrome from a young age.”
“The two medicines we accepted for hepatitis C will help open up treatment to more patients, including those who have not responded to previous treatments, further helping to meet the Scottish Government’s aim of eradicating this condition.”
“Sarilumab provides an alternative for patients who have failed to respond to conventional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Dimethyl fumarate (Skilarence) offers another treatment option for use in plaque psoriasis.”