Allergan receives SMC approval for Ozurdex in Scotland

Allergan has been granted approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for the use of its product Ozurdex among Scottish NHS patients.

The dexamethasone 700 microgram intravitreal implant has been accepted for use in adult patients with macular oedema following central retinal vein occlusion and in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion who are not suitable for laser treatment.

Ozurdex is effective for up to six months, meaning treatment frequency is less than many other therapies, thus offering potential savings for the NHS.

Moreover, in clinical studies it has been shown that Ozurdex is able to significantly improve vision by three lines or more on the eye chart in up to 29 percent of patients after one injection.

Dr Selwyn Ho, country manager for Allergan UK, said: "We are looking forward to working closely with the Scottish NHS to implement the SMC recommendation as quickly as possible."

Last month, the company launched a new campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of quality in medical aesthetics, following the recent PIP breast implant scandal.