7 November 2016 - Five new medicines accepted for routine use in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has today published advice accepting five new medicines for routine use in NHS Scotland.

Olaparib (Lynparza) was accepted to treat a rare type of incurable ovarian cancer. It was considered through the SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process, which is used for medicines that treat end of life and very rare conditions. Through PACE, patient groups and clinicians highlighted that patients tend to be younger women who may have significant family and work commitments. This diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage and there are currently no other treatment options available. Olaparib is the first maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer, delaying time to chemotherapy and potentially offering increased survival benefits. As an oral treatment, it also reduces the number of hospital visits for women.

Nivolumab (Opdivo) was accepted via PACE for the treatment of advanced melanoma (a form of skin cancer) in combination with another medicine, ipilimumab. PACE participants spoke of melanoma affecting a disproportionate number of young adults who may have a key role in caring for children or elderly parents. Using nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab offers an increased response rate compared to using either medicine alone.

Read SMC press release