The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on new medicines.
Agomelatine (Valdoxan®) has been rejected for the treatment of major depressive episodes. The economic analysis was insufficiently robust to gain approval.
Fentanyl nasal spray (Instanyl®) has been restricted to use in patients who are unsuitable for other short-acting oral opioids (e.g. oral morphine) for the management of breakthrough pain in adults already receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.