PecFent accepted in Scotland for treatment of breakthrough cancer pain

Jan 18 2011

Archimedes Pharma Ltd., a leading international specialty pharma company, today announced the decision by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to accept PecFent(R) (fentanyl pectin nasal spray) for use within NHS Scotland. PecFent is indicated for the treatment of breakthrough pain in adults who are already receiving maintenance opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain. Following the SMC clinical effectiveness and health economic review of the product, PecFent has been accepted for use in Scotland for breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) patients unsuitable for short-acting oral opioids or as an alternative to other fentanyl preparations.

Jeffrey H. Buchalter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Archimedes Pharma, commented: "This is a key outcome from one of Europe's foremost Health Technology Assessment agencies. The SMC's balanced review of PecFent's clinical effectiveness and health economic value supports Archimedes' belief that PecFent provides a real opportunity for patients, for healthcare professionals, and for payors to improve the management of breakthrough cancer pain and the cost effectiveness of that management. We welcome the decision by the SMC to accept PecFent for use within the NHS in Scotland."

Professor Marie Fallon, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, commented: "BTCP is a challenge for current treatment options as it can be so rapid in onset, of short duration and severe to excruciating in intensity. The launch of PecFent was long awaited and I am very pleased PecFent will be available in Scotland to provide another important treatment option for patients with this challenging condition. This option is definitely an advance in the delivery of breakthrough cancer pain relief."

Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) affects 24% to 95% (average across all studies 62%) of all cancer patients with pain and is characterized by sudden, often unpredictable, episodes of intense pain that occur despite background pain medication. BTCP is rapid in onset, usually reaching maximum intensity in five minutes and lasting for 30 to 60 minutes. BTCP has a significant and often severe impact on patient's lives negatively impacting function, mode, and quality of life.

PecFent contains fentanyl, a highly potent opioid analgesic, and uses the Archimedes Pharma nasal drug delivery system PecSys(R) to deliver fentanyl in a rapid but controlled manner, designed to help match the time course of the typical breakthrough pain episode. In two randomised, controlled, double blind, phase 3 clinical trials, PecFent demonstrated evidence of onset of pain relief as early as 5 minutes, as well as clinically meaningful pain relief from 10 minutes.