- Prescribing Advice for GPs - https://www.prescriber.org.uk -

Pregabalin rejected by SMC

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has rejected Pregabalin (Lyrica®) for use in peripheral neuropathic pain in adults on the NHS in Scotland.

This is the third time the SMC has reviewed pregabalin for nerve pain following a review in March 2005 and a re-submission in September 2005. The result of the re-submission was reported here.

Despite 18 months having passed since the first review the SMC still state that, "Comparative clinical and cost effectiveness have not been demonstrated".

Action: Pregabalin currently has no place in the treatment nerve pain. Conventional therapies, including amitriptyline, carbamazepine and gabapentin, should continue to be used.