The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has issued its monthly advice on newly licensed medicines.
Opicapone (Ongentys®) has been accepted for use as adjunctive therapy to preparations of levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors (DDCI) in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and end-of-dose motor fluctuations who cannot be stabilised on those combinations. It is noted that opicapone provides an additional treatment choice in the therapeutic class of catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors.
Budesonide (Cortiment®) has been accepted for use in the induction of remission in patients with active microscopic colitis. It is noted that other oral budesonide formulations are available at lower cost.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations of the SMC. Routine use of rejected and restricted medicines should be avoided.