Drug used to treat ulcerative colitis approved for use in Scotland

A drug used to treat adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) has been approved for use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) is a once daily pill used to control symptoms of UC. It can be used to treat patients who have an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biologic agent.

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can be controlled within eight weeks

Glasgow has the world’s second highest rate of UC in the world, and NHS Scotland say the newly approved treatment will help more patients to control their condition.

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

“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.”

Studies have demonstrated the drug’s ability to achieve clinical remission

The SMC decided to approve the drug based on trial data from induction studies, which demonstrated the efficacy of upadacitinib versus placebo in its ability to achieve clinical remission.

Upadacitinib was also evaluated for safety as well as efficacy, and no new important safety risks were observed. Some patients, however, did experience adverse effects including upper respiratory tract infection, increased blood creatine phosphokinase and acne.

The most common serious adverse events were serious infections.

Ulcerative colitis can cause disability in affected patients

Living with UC impacts all aspects of a person’s life, largely due to unpredictable symptoms such as bowel urgency, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and bowel incontinence.

The severity of symptoms and uncertainty surrounding flares can lead to a substantial burden and often cause disability for those living with the disease.

Ruth Wakeman, Director of Services, Advocacy and Evidence, Crohn’s & Colitis UK, says she hopes the drug will help to improve patients’ quality of life.

She said: “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.

“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.”