Drug to treat rare form of lung cancer approved for use in Scotland

A medicine which could help treat a rare type of lung cancer has been approved for use in Scotland.

Pralsetnib was accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) on an interim basis on Monday, for the treatment of a rare type of advanced, non-small cell, lung cancer.

It was joined by two other drugs, all three considered through SMC’s Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process – which is used for end of life medicines and rare conditions.

Pralsetinib will be made available while further information is gathered, following which the SMC will review evidence and make a decision on routine availability to the general public.

Bulevirtide was accepted on Monday for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection – a rare and more severe type of hepatitis – in adults with liver disease.

Nintedanib was accepted for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic, progressive lung disease.

Previous SMC advice restricted Nintedanib to use only in patients with more advanced disease – renewed acceptance by the SMC means that patients will now be able to access treatment earlier.

SMC chair Mark MacGregor said: “SMC has accepted pralsetinib for use on an interim basis.

“The clinical evidence is promising but highly uncertain.

“The committee look forward to reviewing the updated evidence when available to ensure that this treatment offers good value to patients in NHSScotland.”

Members of the SMC Committee make their decisions based on a broad range of evidence in order to help health professionals deliver the best possible care within the finite resources available.

They consider detailed evidence presented by pharmaceutical companies, patient groups and clinicians in order to decide which medicines provide value for money for NHS Scotland.