Scotland rejects temoporfin for head and neck cancer
Temoporfin (Foscan) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for palliative treatment of patients with advanced head and neck cancer, says the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
The SMC suggests that the drug, which is a photosensitising agent used
in photodynamic therapy, has only a small effect in reducing tumour mass
and improving quality of life. Its effects are also only observed in
patients with lesions less than 10mm deep.
Another drug to be rejected by the SMC this month is botulinum toxin
type A (Botox), which it says cannot be endorsed for the treatment of
focal spasticity associated with stroke. Although the drug improves disability
there is little direct evidence of cost effectiveness, the SMC concludes.
Two products that fared better in the latest SMC assessments were Zyprexa
(olanzapine) and Symbicort Turbohaler (budesonide and eformoterol). Zyprexa
is recommended for the prevention of recurrence of mania or depression
in patients with bipolar disorder whose manic episode has already responded
to the drug. Symbicort is accepted for use in patients with severe chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease whose symptoms remain despite regular therapy
with long-acting bronchodilators.
The SMC advice is available online |
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