The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on newly licensed medicines.
Formoterol / glycopyrronium / budesonide aerosol inhaler (Trixeo Aerosphere®) has been accepted for restricted use as a maintenance treatment in adult patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are not adequately treated by a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist or combination of a long-acting beta2-agonist and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist. The restriction limits use to patients with severe COPD (FEV1 less than 50% predicted normal).
Leuprorelin acetate (Prostap®) has been accepted for use as adjuvant treatment in combination with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, of endocrine responsive early stage breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women at higher risk of disease recurrence. It is expected treatment would continue in primary care at the recommendation of a specialist.
Leuprorelin acetate (Prostap®) has been accepted for use as treatment in pre- and perimenopausal women with advanced breast cancer suitable for hormonal manipulation.. It is expected treatment would continue in primary care at the recommendation of a specialist.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.