Following a full submission, the Scottish Medicines Consortium has accepted tacrolimus 0.1% and 0.03% ointment (Protopic®) for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the maintenance treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis for the prevention of flares and the prolongation of flare-free intervals in adults (≥16 years; the 0.1% ointment) or children aged 2 to 15 years (0.03% ointment) experiencing a high frequency of disease exacerbations (i.e. occurring 4 or more times per year) who have had an initial response to a maximum of 6 weeks treatment of twice daily tacrolimus ointment (lesions cleared, almost cleared or mildly affected).

Use is restricted to initiation by dermatologists in secondary care who have experience in treating atopic dermatitis using immunomodulatory therapy.