SMC December Update

December 8, 2009 at 11:27 am | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |

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

Liraglutide (Victoza^®) has been accepted for restricted use for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic control. It is restricted to a third line position after metformin and a sulphonylurea.

Pramipexole (Mirapexin^®) in a modified release formulation has been accepted for use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. An economic analysis found that the once daily formulation could provide the benefit of once-daily rather than thrice-daily dosing, at an equivalent cost.

Tafluprost preservative-free eye drops (Saflutan^®) have been accepted for restricted for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The product is restricted to use in those patients with a proven sensitivity to the preservative benzalkonium chloride in currently available prostaglandin preparations.

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