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Tibotec, a division of Janssen-Cilag Ltd today announced the acceptance of once daily Prezista (darunavir) by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use within NHS Scotland.
Once daily Darunavir, a protease inhibitor (PI), is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-naïve adults (those who have never taken HIV medication before) and is co-administered with low dose ritonavir and in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products.
Roy Kilpatrick, Chief Executive of HIV Scotland, commented: “We are delighted with this outcome, and are pleased that the SMC decision again recognises the importance of providing the effective treatments for people living with HIV.”
HIV Scotland is a national organisation that provides expert HIV tools and information to professionals, individuals and other organisations in order to meet the HIV-related needs of people in Scotland.
Darunavir 800 mg is available as two 400 mg tablets for treatment-naïve patients with HIV. Darunavir 800mg should be taken once daily with low dose ritonavir and with food as part of combination therapy.
“Once daily Darunavir is a welcome addition to the treatments that are now available for people living with HIV,” said Dr Rak Nandwani, Consultant in HIV & Genitourinary Medicine in Glasgow.
“Darunavir has made a significant contribution in the care of treatment-experienced adults living with HIV over the last two years and now adults who are starting HIV medication for the first time can benefit.”
The SMC approval is based on data from 48-week analyses of plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4+ cell counts from the ongoing, randomised, controlled, open-label phase III trial known as ARTEMIS.
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