Wegovy weight-loss jab to be offered on NHS in Scotland

Weight loss jab Wegovy is to be used to treat people in Scotland at risk of strokes or heart attacks.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted semaglutide (Wegovy) for use to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease.

It will be used together with dieting and exercise in affected patients.

The SMC also accepted Odevixibat (Bylvay) for the treatment of patients six months and older with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC).

PFIC is a rare liver condition that causes bile acids to build up in the liver causing damage.

Capsaicin (Qutenza) was accepted for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage, in adults with diabetes.

Dupilumab (Dupixent) was accepted, used together with intranasal corticosteroids, for the treatment of adults with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

This is a chronic condition that consists of inflammation of the nose and sinuses and small growths called polyps in the nose and sinuses.

Sparsentan (Filspari) was accepted for the treatment of certain patients with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).

IgAN is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually fail, meaning patients eventually need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Talquetamab (Talvey) was accepted for treating adults with advanced myeloma who have had at least three previous treatments.

SMC Chair Dr Rob Peel said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.

“Semaglutide will provide a useful treatment option to help reduce major cardiovascular events in patients who are overweight and have cardiovascular disease.

“The severe itchiness and liver damage caused by PFIC has a big impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. After reassessment, the committee was satisfied that odevixibat has the potential to improve the lives of patients and their families and has now been accepted for routine use by SMC.

“Capsaicin offers an additional treatment option for neuropathic pain.

“Dupilumab, used together with intra-nasal corticosteroids, offers an effective treatment option for patients with CRSwNP that have uncontrolled severe disease.

“Sparsentan provides an additional treatment option for IgAN and can help to slow the decline in kidney function for patients with this impactful long-term kidney condition.

“Talquetamab may be a useful additional treatment option for some patients with advanced myeloma who have already received at least three previous treatments.

“The committee was unable to accept ataluren for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy after reassessment through the ultra-orphan framework. The company’s evidence around the clinical and cost effectiveness of the treatment was not sufficient. Patients currently receiving ataluren can continue treatment.”