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

SMC Update - January 2017

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

Buprenorphine transdermal patch (Butec®) has been accepted for restricted use in adults, for the treatment of chronic non-malignant pain of moderate intensity when an opioid is necessary for obtaining adequate analgesia. The restriction limits use to elderly patients (over 65 years).

Conjugated oestrogens and bazedoxifene acetate (Duavive®) has been rejected in the treatment of oestrogen deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women with a uterus (with at least 12 months since the last menses) for whom treatment with progestin-containing therapy is not appropriate. 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.