MTRAC, the Midlands Therapeutics Review & Advisory Committee, has issued its latest Commissioning Guidance report, covering ticagrelor for acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

The report summarises the clinical trial data for ticagrelor and concludes that treatment with ticagrelor for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with ACS should be initiated in secondary care. It is then appropriate for continued prescribing in primary care (duration of treatment should not exceed 12 months).

However, Commissioners should note that ticagrelor treatment is considerably more expensive than clopidogrel – a year’s treatment with ticagrelor costs £713.70 compared with £30.75 for generic clopidogrel.