SMC Update - December 2012
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on newly licensed medicines.
Lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol®) has been accepted for restricted use as a phosphate binding agent for use in the control of hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal failure patients on haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The restriction recommends use as a second-line agent where a non-aluminium and non-calcium phosphate binder is required.
Olmesartan / amlodipine / hydrochlorothiazide (Sevikar HCT®) has been accepted for use in adult patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on the combination of olmesartan and amlodipine taken as dual-component formulation. The recommendation clarifies that "These fixed dose combinations are among many options for the treatment of hypertension, many of which are less expensive".
5-aminolaevulinic acid (Ameluz®) has been accepted for use in the treatment of actinic keratosis of mild to moderate intensity on the face and scalp.
Perampanel (Fycompa®) has been accepted for restricted use in as an adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalised seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 12 years and older. The restriction recommends use as a second-line agent in refractory partial onset epilepsy and that it should only be initiated by experienced physicians.
Racecadotril (Hidrasec Infants®, Hidrasec Children®) has been rejected for us as a complementary symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea in infants older than three months and in children. The manufacturer failed to make a sufficiently robust clinical and economic case.
Racecadotril (Hidrasec®) has been rejected for symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea in adults when causal treatment is not possible. The manufacturer failed to make a submission.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.
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