- Prescribing Advice for GPs - https://www.prescriber.org.uk -

SMC Update - March 2013

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

Bimatoprost single-dose eye drops (Lumigan UD®) has been accepted for restricted use for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in adults. Use is restricted to patients who have proven sensitivity to the preservative benzalkonium chloride.

Ingenol mebutate gel (Picato®) has been accepted for use in the treatment of non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic actinic keratosis in adults.

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) has been accepted for use in the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and PE in adults. It was noted that this recommendation is based upon treatment durations of 3, 6 or 12 months and that cost-effectiveness of indefinite treatment has not been demonstrated.

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