The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has recommended Acarizax, a daily tablet made from house dust mite allergen extracts, for use by the NHS in Scotland. The decision has been hailed as a "major milestone" in the treatment of allergies.
How Acarizax works
Acarizax, already approved by the NHS in England, is intended for patients with moderate to severe allergies. It is made using allergen extracts from house dust mites and helps those suffering from house dust mite allergic rhinitis, a year-round condition that causes inflammation of the nasal lining, leading to sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and irritated eyes.
By giving sufferers a daily dose of the allergy extract, Acarizax allows the immune system to build up a natural tolerance through a process called desensitisation or immunotherapy.
Expected benefits and expert comments
Manufacturers ALK estimate that up to 1,960 Scots per year could benefit from the treatment. SMC chair Dr Rob Peel said: "Acarizax is the first targeted treatment option available specifically for house dust mite allergy and may help patients who have been unable to control their symptoms with currently available treatments."
Dr George Raptis, a paediatric allergy consultant with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, noted that house dust mite allergic rhinitis could be a "significant burden and ongoing challenge" for doctors and could "impact patients' quality of life with long-term effects on their day-to-day wellbeing". He added: "The SMC's acceptance of sublingual immunotherapy provides a vital new option to target the root cause of the allergy for patients whose symptoms remain poorly controlled despite standard treatments."
Anne Biggs, deputy head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: "Uncontrolled, house dust mite allergy severely impacts daily life, sleep, and overall wellbeing. Allergy UK welcomes the SMC's decision, which offers a potential long-term solution and renewed hope for patients in Scotland who have found little relief through existing medications."
Emil Stage Olsen, general manager for the UK and Republic of Ireland at ALK, said: "The SMC's acceptance of Acarizax marks a major milestone in transforming airborne allergy management for patients in Scotland. ALK is proud to partner with NHS Scotland to ensure eligible patients can access this disease-modifying treatment."
