The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved Sanofi’s new long-acting, concentrated basal insulin, Toujeo® (insulin glargine 300 units/mL). The insulin, which was launched in the UK in August, is now available to patients on the NHS in Scotland and, according to the endorsement, should be targeted at people with type 1 diabetes who are at risk of severe or frequent nocturnal hypoglycaemia. It can also be considered an option as a once-daily therapy for people who require carer administration of their insulin, and in people with type 2 diabetes who have recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia.
Toujeo was approved in the EU and the US following publication of clinical trial results showing that it produced similar reductions in HbA1c compared with Lantus (insulin glargine 100 units/mL), but with lower rates of confirmed hypoglycaemia, in people with type 2 diabetes. In people with type 1 diabetes, no difference in HbA1c or hypoglycaemia rates has been observed.
Dr Karen Adamson, Consultant Diabetologist at NHS Lothian, said: “This is good news that doctors in Scotland have access to a new basal insulin treatment option for their patients, especially those who are not currently reaching optimal blood glucose control.
“The fear of hypoglycaemia can prevent some patients administering appropriate doses of their insulin, which can often lead to poor blood glucose control. It is critical that people with diabetes are able to manage their blood glucose, in order to avoid an increased risk of long-term complications.”
The Sumary of Product Characteristics for Toujeo can be found here.
