Scottish Medicines Consortium accepts upadacitinib to treat Active Ulcerative Colitis in Adults

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted AbbVie‘s RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Upadacitinib offers an additional treatment choice in the therapeutic class of janus kinase inhibitors.

“Daily life with ulcerative colitis is difficult due to the debilitating and unpredictable nature of its symptoms”, said Dr Jonathan Macdonald, Consultant Gastroenterologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

“Clinical trials have shown that upadacitinib as a once daily pill controls symptoms in eight weeks for many patients and provided sustained responses at one year. The SMC’s decision is good news for people with ulcerative colitis in Scotland as it provides an additional treatment option to help them gain control of their condition.”

The SMC decision is based on data from the induction studies U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH, as well as the Phase 3 U-ACHIEVE maintenance study, which demonstrated the efficacy of upadacitinib versus placebo in its ability to achieve clinical remission. The SMC’s decision follows the granting of Marketing Authorization for upadacitinib in UC in July 2022.

“This lifelong disease impacts all aspects of life for people with ulcerative colitis and we see this first hand from those who need our support,” said Ruth Wakeman, Director of Services, Advocacy and Evidence, Crohn’s & Colitis UK. “We welcome this decision by the SMC as there is a clear need for more treatment options to help improve the lives of people with ulcerative colitis and their families.”

“Many people are still significantly impacted by ulcerative colitis despite currently available treatments,” said Belinda Byrne, Medical Director at AbbVie UK. “We very much welcome the SMC’s abbreviated submission route, which has enabled us to make upadacitinib available in Scotland so quickly as an additional option to support these people and continue our dedication to improving the lives of those with the condition.”