SMC Press Release For DOVOBET
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issues advice on Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment (Dovobet®), for use within NHS Scotland.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has completed its assessment on the above product. The SMC advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) that Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment (Dovobet®) is recommended for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the initial topical treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.
Short-term comparisons have shown that the ointment is more effective than either component as monotherapy and that it is cost effective compared to alternative therapies. Its use is restricted to physicians experienced in treating inflammatory skin disease. The ointment contains a potent steroid, the use of which carries risks of destabilising psoriasis and side effects from prolonged use. The duration of treatment should not exceed four weeks.
(ENDS)
Notes for editors
1. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder which affects 1-2 per cent of the UK population. There are several forms of psoriasis but the most common is plaque psoriasis (also called psoriasis vulgaris) which is characterised by well defined, red, raised, scaly lesions. Most cases are mild but the extent of affected skin can range from trivial to almost total coverage and the course of the disease is characterised by relapses and remissions.
2. Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment contains the vitamin D analogue, calcipotriol, and the potent corticosteroid, betamethasone dipropionate, and was originally launched in May 2002 for twice daily use but was not recommended for use by SMC. This resubmission addresses the cost-effectiveness of the product under its now once daily dosing regimen.
3. The SMC advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) in Scotland about the use of all newly licensed medicines, all new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. It does this after new medicines have been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency/European Medicines Evaluation Agency.
4. The SMC has formed a New Drugs Committee (NDC) to advise it and make recommendations on the issues surrounding newly licensed products.
5. The SMC process requires pharmaceutical companies to make a submission before a product is launched. The aim is to make a recommendation as soon as possible after the launch of a product.
6. Membership of the SMC has been derived from NHS Boards across Scotland. Membership is wide ranging across multi-disciplines of NHS Scotland and also includes members of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), and patient and voluntary group representatives.
7. This recommendation represents the views of the Scottish Medicines Consortium and was arrived at after careful consideration of the available evidence. Health professionals are expected to take due account of this recommendation when exercising their clinical judgement. This recommendation does not, however, override the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions in the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issues advice on Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment (Dovobet®), for use within NHS Scotland.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has completed its assessment on the above product. The SMC advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) that Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment (Dovobet®) is recommended for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the initial topical treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.
Short-term comparisons have shown that the ointment is more effective than either component as monotherapy and that it is cost effective compared to alternative therapies. Its use is restricted to physicians experienced in treating inflammatory skin disease. The ointment contains a potent steroid, the use of which carries risks of destabilising psoriasis and side effects from prolonged use. The duration of treatment should not exceed four weeks.
(ENDS)
Notes for editors
1. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder which affects 1-2 per cent of the UK population. There are several forms of psoriasis but the most common is plaque psoriasis (also called psoriasis vulgaris) which is characterised by well defined, red, raised, scaly lesions. Most cases are mild but the extent of affected skin can range from trivial to almost total coverage and the course of the disease is characterised by relapses and remissions.
2. Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment contains the vitamin D analogue, calcipotriol, and the potent corticosteroid, betamethasone dipropionate, and was originally launched in May 2002 for twice daily use but was not recommended for use by SMC. This resubmission addresses the cost-effectiveness of the product under its now once daily dosing regimen.
3. The SMC advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) in Scotland about the use of all newly licensed medicines, all new formulations of existing medicines and any major new indications for established products. It does this after new medicines have been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency/European Medicines Evaluation Agency.
4. The SMC has formed a New Drugs Committee (NDC) to advise it and make recommendations on the issues surrounding newly licensed products.
5. The SMC process requires pharmaceutical companies to make a submission before a product is launched. The aim is to make a recommendation as soon as possible after the launch of a product.
6. Membership of the SMC has been derived from NHS Boards across Scotland. Membership is wide ranging across multi-disciplines of NHS Scotland and also includes members of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), and patient and voluntary group representatives.
7. This recommendation represents the views of the Scottish Medicines Consortium and was arrived at after careful consideration of the available evidence. Health professionals are expected to take due account of this recommendation when exercising their clinical judgement. This recommendation does not, however, override the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate decisions in the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.