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

SMC Update - March 2020

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

Cinacalcet granules (Mimpara®) have been rejected for use in secondary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid carcinoma and primary hyperparathyroidism in adults. The manufacturer failed to make a submission for these indications. NICE recommends cinacalcet for refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease under specific conditions.

Mexiletine (Namuscla®) has been rejected for the symptomatic treatment of myotonia in adult patients with non-dystrophic myotonic disorders. The justification of the treatment's cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient and in addition the company did not present a sufficiently robust economic analysis to gain acceptance by SMC.

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