Medicines for psoriasis and hepatitis C accepted for use in Scotland by SMC

Two of these medicines are for the treatment of psoriasis and a third has been accepted for psoriatic arthritis. The other new medicines accepted are the latest of several promising new therapies for hepatitis C.

Apremilast (Otezla) is the first in a new class of medicine for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition causing red scaly patches (known as plaques) on the skin. A patient group submission highlighted that plaque psoriasis is a lifelong condition which can be very embarrassing for patients, with symptoms including itchy, flaky skin which sheds continuously. The highly visible nature of the condition means patients may avoid social situations which can affect their social life and employability.

Apremilast has been accepted for the treatment of patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to the main therapies used currently, including disease-modifying drugs or ultra violet light therapy. As an oral tablet, apremilast is more convenient for patients than many other treatments used at this stage of therapy and may also mean fewer appointments at outpatient clinics.

The committee also accepted apremilast for treating a related condition, psoriatic arthritis. This is an inflammatory disease of the joints which is present in around 20% of patients with psoriasis.

A second medicine, secukinumab (Cosentyx), was also accepted for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Secukinumab is a biologic agent that is given by sub-cutaneous injection via a pre-filled syringe or pre-filled pen. A patient group submission stated that patients often consider biologic agents to be the most effective treatment currently available for this condition. As secukinumab targets a different part of the immune system to existing biologic agents, it may also benefit those who have responded poorly to existing treatments.

Also accepted for use were ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Viekirax) and dasabuvir (Exviera), two medicines which can be used to treat certain types of chronic hepatitis C, a condition caused by a virus that infects liver cells. Patient groups highlighted that therapies can vary in effectiveness and tolerability. These two medicines are taken orally and offer a shorter treatment time than some other available treatments.

Professor Jonathan Fox, chair of the SMC, said: "We are pleased to be able to accept these medicines and hope patients will find them of benefit.

"Effective treatment options for plaque psoriasis, in particular, are fairly limited and other treatments may be poorly tolerated. We are pleased to be able to accept two medicines for this distressing condition, as well as new treatments for psoriatic arthritis and hepatitis C."