13 May 2019 - A medicine used to treat advanced breast cancer has today been accepted by the SMC for use in NHSScotland.

Abemaciclib (Vernezios) was accepted for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer in two different settings. It was accepted for use in combination with a class of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors as an initial therapy in patients who have not had previous endocrine (hormone) based therapy. It was also accepted for restricted use in combination with fulvestrant for patients whose condition has progressed on or after endocrine therapy or during first-line endocrine-based therapy.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for advanced melanoma (a form of skin cancer) was also accepted following consideration through PACE, for use after surgery. Patients and clinicians explained that this skin cancer often affects young patients who may have significant family and work commitments. As there is no other active treatment available at this stage of the disease, current management is surveillance through routine monitoring and scans. Pembrolizumab can delay further disease progression and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Read SMC press release