The All Wales Strategic Medical Group (AWSMG) has approved Zebinix(R) (eslicarbazepine acetate) for the treatment of partial seizures in highly refractory patients who remain uncontrolled with, or are intolerant to, other anti-epileptic medicine combinations.

Eslicarbazepine acetate is licensed in Europe as an adjunctive therapy for adults with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization. 
 Epilepsy affects nearly 32,000 people in Wales. The successful treatment of partial-onset seizures (the most common form of epilepsy) remains a significant challenge in some patients and the incidence of uncontrolled partial epilepsy remains high, between 20 - 40% of patients with epilepsy have remained poorly controlled despite these treatments, despite many existing anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). 

 "There are 32,000 people in Wales living with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a complex condition which can be very difficult to treat. Up to 70 per cent of people with epilepsy could have their seizures controlled but only 52 per cent actually do. We welcome the decision by the AWSMG to make Zebinix available as an add-on treatment for people with difficult to control epilepsy who could benefit from this epilepsy medicine," commented Ann Sivapatham, Epilepsy Action's Wales Manager.

Nick Burgin, Director Market Access, Eisai EMEA&Russia explained: "We are delighted that AWSMG has approved Zebinix for partial epilepsy. We want to ensure that patients have access to innovative treatments, encouraging better patient outcomes and faster uptake of new medicines."

 Zebinix was approved by the European Commission following data which showed that it reduces seizure frequency and has an overall positive efficacy and safety profile.