SMC Update - September 2011
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on new medicines.
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) has been accepted for use in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Such individuals must have at least one of the following risk factors:
- Previous stroke, transient ischaemic attack, or systemic embolism
- Left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%
- Symptomatic heart failure, ≥ New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 2
- Age ≥ 75 years
- Age ≥ 65 years associated with one of the following: diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease or hypertension
Abatacept (Orencia®) has been rejected for use in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who responded inadequately to previous therapy. The justification of the treatment’s cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient to gain acceptance.
Tenofovir (Viread®) has been accepted for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with decompensated liver disease.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.
| « Insulin pumps affected by altitude | Apidra supply interruption » |
Just a quick thank you to say I'm finding your blog extremely useful. Bizarrely, I was making enquiries about Pradaxa yesterday – how very timely 🙂
Many Thanks
Fi
Comment by Fiona Wild — September 13, 2011 #