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

SMC Update - January 2016

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

Albiglutide (Eperzan®) has been accepted for restricted use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults to improve glycaemic control in combination with other glucose-lowering medicinal products including basal insulin, when these, together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycaemic control. The restriction notes that this product is an alternative once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist for use in combination with oral anti-diabetic agents as a third-line pre-insulin treatment option. It is also recognised that this advice is contingent upon the continuing availability of a Patient Access Scheme.

Dulaglutide (Trulicity®) has been accepted for restricted use in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control as add-on therapy in combination with other glucose-lowering medicinal products including insulin, when these, together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycaemic control. The restriction limits use to triple therapy in patients with inadequate glycaemic control on two oral anti-diabetic drugs, as an alternative glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist option.

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