The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) recently published advice pertaining to acceptance of two new therapies for use by NHS Scotland.
Erenumab (Aimovig) has been accepted for prophylactic treatment of migraine in adults with a minimum of four migraine days per month. The use of erenumab has been restricted to patients with chronic migraine and in whom at least three prophylactic treatments have been previously unsuccessful. Evidence showed that erenumab significantly decreased the number of migraine days per month vs placebo in patients with episodic and chronic migraine.
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) has been accepted for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults suitable for systemic therapy. The use of certolizumab pegol has been restricted to patients who have a lack of response, intolerance or contraindications for standard systemic therapies (ciclosporin, methotrexate and phototherapy). Evidence showed certolizumab pegol to have a reduction in signs and symptoms of psoriasis comparable to another tumour necrosis factor antagonist.
The SMC advice considers the benefits of a 'Patient Access Scheme' that improves the cost-effectiveness of the two drugs.
