SMC January Update

January 15, 2008 on 10:16 am | In Prescribing Extra - Other | Print Print |

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has issued its monthly advice on new medicines.

Allergen extract of phleum pratense (Grazax®) has been rejected following a resubmission. Despite some modest clinical benefit the economic analysis was insufficiently robust to gain acceptance.

Beclometasone / formoterol metered dose inhaler (Fostair®) has been accepted for use in the treatment of asthma where a combination product is appropriate. This would be Step 3 of the British Thoracic Society Asthma Guidelines.

Latanoprost and timolol eye drops (Xalacom®) has been accepted for the treatment of raised intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension who are insufficiently responsive to topical beta-blockers or prostaglandin analogues.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected medicines should be avoided.

Copyright ©2008 Prescribing Advice for GPs

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