The recommendation will apply to patients with moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis who have found that conventional therapy or a type of treatment called TNF-alpha inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab) either don’t work well, have stopped working or can’t be tolerated. It also includes a recommendation that patients using Entyvio should be reassessed every 12 months to determine whether ongoing treatment is still appropriate.
Vedolizumab works in a different way to other treatment options for Ulcerative Colitis - targeting the immune system in the gut rather than the whole body. For many patients the drug treatment will be a welcome alternative to steroids and surgery.
Read our full consultation response
Vedolizumab is also currently being appraised by the SMC for Crohn’s Disease, with a decision on this expected in the Summer 2015 - read a copy of our consultation response.
The final SMC guidance can be read at:
www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/1045_15_vedolizumab_entyvio/vedolizumab_entyvio
Vedolizumab has also been approved for moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis under the same conditions by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – guidance is due imminently. Further information at www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/whats-new/vedolizumab-approved-for-ulcerative-colitis-in-draft-nice-guidance
