Scottish Medicines Consortium Accepts Bronchitol For Use In Cystic Fibrosis Patients

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Pharmaceutical company Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) today announced that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Bronchitol® (mannitol dry powder for inhalation) for use by the National Health Service in Scotland.  Bronchitol is licensed for the treatment of adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients aged 18 years and above as an add-on therapy to best standard of care.

Bronchitol is the first non-antibiotic therapy to be accepted by the SMC for the treatment of CF. The recommendation enables Scottish adults that are in need of new treatment options for their CF, to gain access to Bronchitol. Bronchitol is accepted for use as an add-on to best standard of care, in adults who are not currently using dornase alfa due to lack of response, intolerance or ineligibility and who have a rapidly declining lung function and in whom other osmotic agents are considered unsuitable.

“Clinical studies of inhaled mannitol showed promising results for what is a complex therapeutic area”, said Dr Gordon MacGregor, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening inherited diseases, with over 800 people affected in Scotland, including more than 450 adults. Patients can experience a rapid decline in lung function, with frequent respiratory infections (exacerbations) that often require hospitalisation.

Pharmaxis Chief Executive Officer Mr Gary Phillips said, “We are very pleased with this decision from SMC as we firmly believe that Bronchitol is an important addition to cystic fibrosis care and will help to relieve the burden of treatment for adults with this debilitating condition.”

This SMC decision follows a positive recommendation received from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in November 2012. This guidance was based on an assessment of the clinical and economic value of Bronchitol and now means there is consistency throughout the UK in access to Bronchitol for the treatment of selected adults with CF who have the greatest unmet medical needs.

The media release is available on the Pharmaxis website

David McGarvey
Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary

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