Appeal for new asthma drug in Scotland
19 June 2006

Asthma UK has strongly recommended Scotland’s medical watchdog reconsiders its decision last week to limit access to new asthma drug Xolair.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) ruled that the drug, which has been licensed in the UK, would not be able on prescription on the NHS, although it will be available privately to Scots who can afford it.

Xolair (the generic name for which is omalizumab) is a radically new kind of asthma medicine which is given in fortnightly or monthly injections and dampens down IgE, a substance in the blood linked to allergy.

Most of the 390,000 people with asthma in Scotland are able to control their asthma with existing available medicines. However, for a small percentage the drugs just don’t work - meaning that some people can live in constant fear of a fatal asthma attack. In these cases, the new medicine could have a life transforming impact.

In the UK there are now two tests before a drug is made available on the NHS. Firstly, the drug has to be proven to be safe and effective. Xolair passed this test in Europe several months ago. Secondly, the drug has to be deemed ‘cost effective’ by the relevant authorities – such as the SMC. The drug is less expensive than other recently approved drugs but the benefit to people with asthma is not said to justify the cost compared to other asthma medicines.

Meanwhile in England and Wales people with asthma are waiting for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make a ruling on Xolair. The NICE decision is not due until February 2008 although Asthma UK is pressing for them to fast track the enquiry.

‘The clinical trial to test this drug proved that it is safe and effective,’ said Martin Dockrell, Asthma UK’s Assistant Director of Policy and Public Affairs.

‘The treatment has transformed the lives of some people with severe asthma symptoms for whom existing available medicines don’t work. It is unjust and inhumane to restrict access to a treatment that could drastically transform someone’s life to those who can afford it.’