SMC recommends Eladynos®▼ (abaloparatide) for treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

London, 7 July 2025: Theramex has announced that the Scottish Medicine Consortium (SMC) has recommended Eladynos^® for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at very high risk of fracture*, through the NHS in Scotland.^[i]

Osteoporosis is a progressive skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of the structure of bone tissue, resulting in increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.^[ii] It is estimated that half of women over 50 will experience fragility fractures.^[iii] Fragility fractures are the fourth leading cause of disability and early death (behind ischaemic heart disease, dementia, and lung cancer respectively).^[iv]  Once a patient suffers a fragility fracture they are at a higher risk of subsequent fractures, especially in the first two years following the initial fracture.^[v]

Hip fractures are estimated to be accountable for approximately 50% of fracture-related deaths in women;^[vi] a quarter of patients who suffer a hip fracture die within one year and hip fractures cost the NHS £2bn per year.^[vii] In total osteoporotic fractures currently account for over £4.6bn of direct costs to the NHS, forecast to rise to £6bn by 2030 as the population ages.⁷

Despite these worrying statistics, the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) report systemic missed opportunities to prevent these fractures, with a quarter of women currently enduring more than three fractures before they finally get the diagnosis they need.⁷ In addition to this, two thirds of people identified as high risk for fracture fail to receive access to treatment.^[viii]

Abaloparatide is what is known as an anabolic therapy,^[ix] this means that it stimulates new bone formation,^[x] it is used to make bones stronger and less likely to break.^[xi] This is a once daily injection, administered subcutaneously to the lower abdomen.¹⁰ Treatment can be prescribed for a maximum of 18 months, following abaloparatide patients may be continued on other osteoporosis therapies.¹⁰  The UK clinical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis recommend anabolic therapies as first line treatment options in post-menopausal women at very high risk of fracture.^[xii]

Abaloparatide was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for reimbursement on the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in August 2024.^[xiii] This decision is a positive step towards improving the equity of access to approved bone forming medications for eligible patients across the United Kingdom. It is estimated that over 1,000 post-menopausal women in Scotland will be eligible for treatment.¹

Professor David Reid, MBE, Consultant Rheumatologist and Osteoporosis Specialist said, “For postmenopausal women, fractures can potentially be life-changing or even life-limiting but are preventable events. A recent study published in Osteoporosis International^[xiv] reinforces this, showing that PTH1 receptor agonists like abaloparatide are highly effective in reducing vertebral, non-vertebral and hip fractures. The analysis, which looked at both clinical trials and real-world evidence, highlights the valuable role these treatments can play in managing osteoporosis, particularly for high-risk women.

“Today's news provides a welcome treatment option grounded in robust evidence for both clinicians and patients.”

Tina Backhouse, UK General Manager at Theramex said, “With women at a five times greater risk of osteoporosis than men,^[xv] I am thrilled that we are able to expand access further across the UK and bring this treatment to women in Scotland. This approval not only ensures women in Scotland have access to a diversity of treatment options but also reinforces our ongoing efforts to collaborate with healthcare providers and policymakers to eliminate disparities in osteoporosis care across the UK.”

Craig Jones, CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society said, “Wider accessibility to additional treatment options for osteoporosis, is important in helping women in Scotland live their full lives for longer.

“Despite this step forward, a postcode lottery currently determines whether people can get access to osteoporosis medications, with those in the most deprived areas worst hit. Although Scotland is reported to have full Fracture Liaison Service coverage for the eligible population, there are still significant performance gaps, leading to missed chances for fracture prevention.^[xvi]”

▼ This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information.  

References

[i] Data on file. (REF_23138_v1)

[ii] NICE. (2017). Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg146/resources/osteoporosis-assessing-the-risk-of-fragility-fracture-pdf-35109574194373 [Accessed June 2025].

[iii] van Staa, T. P. et al (2001). Epidemiology of fractures in England and Wales. Bone, 29(6), 517–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/s8756-3282(01)00614-7

[iv] Borgström, F. et al (2020). Fragility fractures in Europe: burden, management and opportunities. Archives of Osteoporosis, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-020-0706-y

[v] Johansson H. (2017). Imminent risk of fracture after fracture. PMC. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5338733/ [Accessed June 2025].

[vi] Kanis, J. A. et al (2013). SCOPE: a scorecard for osteoporosis in Europe. Archives of osteoporosis, 8(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-013-0144-1

[vii] ROS. (2022). Written evidence submitted Royal Osteoporosis Society. committees.parliament.uk. Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/112974/pdf/#:~:text=Osteoporotic%20fractures%20curr [Accessed June 2025].

[viii] ROS. (2021). APPG ON OSTEOPOROSIS AND BONE HEALTH. APPG. Available at: https://strwebprdmedia.blob.core.windows.net/media/31tbj2dt/appg-on-osteoporosis-and-bone-health-fls [Accessed June 2025].

[ix] ROS. (2024). Abaloparatide FAQs. ROS. Available at: https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/treatment/abaloparatide-faqs/ [Accessed June 2025].

[x] Theramex, Eladynos 80 micrograms/dose solution for injection in pre-filled pen Summary of Product Characteristics. 2024 Jan 22.

[xi] eMC. (2025). Package leaflet: Information for the user Eladynos 80 micrograms/dose solution for injection in pre-filled pen. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.100022.pdf [Accessed June 2025].

[xii] Gregson C, et. al. (2022). UK clinical guideline for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Springer Nature. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11657-022-01061-5 [Accessed June 2025].

[xiii] NICE. (2024). Abaloparatide for treating osteoporosis after menopause. NICE. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA991 [Accessed June 2025].

[xiv] Beaudart C. (2025). PTH1 receptor agonists for fracture risk: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Osteoporosis International. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00198-025-07440-1 [Accessed June 2025].

[xv] UChicago Medicine. (2024). Osteoporosis and Bone Health for Women. Available at: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/womens-health/osteoporosis-bone-health [Accessed June 2025].

[xvi] ROS. (2024). Scottish Government announces autumn 2024 launch for Fracture Liaison Service audit. Royal Osteoporosis Society. Available at: https://theros.org.uk/latest-news/scottish-government-announces-autumn-2024-launch-for-fracture-liaison-service-audit/#:~:text=In%20a%20letter%20announcing%20the,initial%20announcement%20in%20March%202023. [Accessed June 2025].