Prescribing Advice for GPs

SMC Update - April 2014

April 10, 2014 at 11:53 am | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs | Print | No Comments

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

Macitentan (Opsumit^®) has been accepted for restricted use in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in adult patients. The restriction limits initiation and prescribing to a specialist.

Rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir (Eviplera^®) has been accepted for use in the treatment of adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This treatment is already approved for treatment-naive patients; this advice extends use to treatment-experienced patients.

Fluticasone/vilanterol (Relvar^®) has been accepted for restricted use in the treatment of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The restriction limits use to patients with an FEV1 less than 50% their predicted normal.

Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel has been accepted for restricted use in the treatment of cutaneous treatment of acne vulgaris when comedones, papules and pustules are present. The restriction limits use to patients with mild to moderate facial acne when monotherapy with benzoyl peroxide or adapalene is not considered appropriate.

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