SMC September Update

September 11, 2008 at 2:22 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |

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

Arirpiprazole (Abilify^®) has been rejected for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes in bipolar 1 disorder and for the prevention of a new manic episode because the economic analysis was not sufficiently robust to gain acceptance.

Ropinirole prolonged release (Requip XL^®) has been accepted for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease in patients already taking ropinirole immediate release tablets and have attained adequate symptomatic control.

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