hiv_virus

SMC gives nod for access to new HIV treatment Dovato

pharmafile | September 10, 2019 | News story | Manufacturing and Production HIV, SMC 

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine) for use on the NHS, allowing treatment of individuals with a two-drug regimen as opposed to the three-drug medications many are currently on whilst maintaining efficacy.

Dovato is produced by ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company majority owned by GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Shionogi Limited.

 The SMC issued positive advice for the drug in the treatment of HIV virus type 1 in adolescents above the age of 12 and weighing at least 40kgs.

 Dr Rak Nandwani, Chair of the Scottish HIV clinical leads, said: “Owing to treatment advances, people living with HIV are healthier and living longer than ever before. Individuals with undetectable viral load cannot pass it on.

 “I’m pleased that Scotland continues to lead the way in the UK in terms of providing new options to both prevent and treat HIV.

 “The SMC decision for Dovato offers a new type of treatment option with fewer agents compared to the current standard of taking a daily three drug regimen [and] Dovato also has the potential to offer further cost savings to NHS Scotland, in addition to the large savings which we have managed to achieve in recent years.”

 It is currently estimated that there are over 100,000 individuals in the UK living with HIV, with 98% of those on medication. Around a third of these patients are women, with the remaining two thirds being men.  One in 12 living with the virus however still do not know they have it.

Nik Kiran

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