15 January 2018 - SMC publishes advice on four new medicines.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has today published advice on four new medicines submitted for consideration for routine use by NHSScotland.

Nivolumab (Opdivo), for the treatment of advanced bladder cancer was not recommended following consideration through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process, which is used for medicines that treat end of life and very rare conditions. Despite strong testimony from patient groups and clinicians, and the additional flexibility that PACE gives to the decision making process, the committee was unable to accept nivolumab as the company’s evidence around the benefits of the medicine was not strong enough to justify its use by NHSScotland.

Obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro), which provides another treatment option for patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma, was also not recommended. Although committee members could be more flexible in their decision making as obinutuzumab is used to treat a rare condition, there was too much uncertainty in the company’s evidence around the cost benefits compared to the treatment option already available in NHSScotland.

Eluxadoline (Truberzi) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea was not recommended as the company’s evidence about the benefits of the medicine was not strong enough to justify its cost to the NHS.

Read SMC press release