UCB's new treatment for epilepsy, has today been accepted for use in Scotland by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for adults with partial onset seizures, as an add-on to patients' current therapy. All NHS health boards in Scotland will now consider the SMC's advice and ensure that this new treatment is made available where there is a clinical need. The SMC advise use in patients with refractory epilepsy.

The efficacy of VIMPAT® as adjunctive therapy at recommended doses (200 mg/day, 400 mg/day) was established in 3 multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials with a 12-week maintenance period. Overall the proportion of patients with a 50% reduction in seizure frequency was 23%, 34%, and 40% for placebo, Vimpat 200 mg/day and 400 mg/day, respectively. In addition, results from an open-label extension study demonstrate long-term retention; of the 370 patients enrolled, 77% were still taking Vimpat after one year.

Between, 20,000 â€" 40,000 adults in Scotland have epilepsy. In the UK, it is estimated that around a third of people with epilepsy still experience seizures despite treatment with these medications. Epilepsy can have a huge impact on the work, social and personal lives of those with the illness, as well as their family and friends. Commenting on the SMC approval, Dr. John Paul Leach, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow said, "This acceptance by the SMC means that specialists have another therapeutic choice to offer those patients in Scotland not achieving adequate seizure control…