Scottish Medicines Consortium Accepts Daklinza (Daclatasvir) to Treat Chronic Hepatitis C in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Daklinza (daclatasvir) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C who have significant fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis, both of which represent significant liver damage. Daclatasvir is used in combination with other agents, including sofosbuvir, to treat patients with hepatitis C genotypes 1, 3 and 4 (representing >94% of cases in Scotland). This decision will enable eligible patients in Scotland with chronic hepatitis C to have access to a potentially curative oral treatment regimen that does not include interferon, a standard of care commonly associated with poor tolerability due to adverse events such as flu-like symptoms. The acceptance of daclatasvir for use in Scotland is particularly significant for some of the most difficult-to-treat patients, including those with end stage liver disease and those at risk of liver cancer.

Commenting on the SMC decision, Dr Stephen Barclay, Liver Consultant at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary said: “This decision is an important milestone for around 40,000 patients in Scotland with chronic hepatitis C, who live with the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Whilst the standard of care for hepatitis C in Scotland is exemplary, there remain patients for whom current treatments have been unsuitable or ineffective. The acceptance of daclatasvir offers a new option that can provide high rates of viral cure and thus bring real benefits for patients who require treatment.”