The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved four new cancer treatments for use by NHS Scotland as part of its September release.
The newly approved medicines come in the form of:
- Dabrafenib – sold as Finlee
- Ivosidenib – sold as Tibsovo
- Teclistamab – sold as Tecvayli
- Elranatamab – sold as Elrexfio
Approvals
The drug dabrafenib has been approved for the treatment of gliomas, when used in conjunction with trametinib, which is otherwise known as Spexotras. The green light is for children aged one year and older.
The drug ivosidenib, meanwhile, has been accepted for treating adults with advanced cholangiocarcinoma who have had at least one previous treatment.
Adults who have had at least three previous treatments for their advanced myeloma will benefit from teclistamab – elranatamab has been accepted for the same patient group, but only on an interim basis. The SMC will gather further evidence on elranatamab and conduct a review on its eligibility for routine NHS use at a later date.
Powerful testimony
“The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland,” said SMC chair, Dr Scott Muir.
He added: “We heard powerful testimony from affected families about the devastating impact that the diagnosis of a glioma brain tumour has on children and their families.
“Dabrafenib together with trametinib may give children more time without their brain tumour growing and improve their quality of life.”
Ivosidenib signals the first personalised treatment for cholangiocarcinoma that can be taken home, which Dr Muir expects to be “welcomed by patients and their families” alike. Teclistamab, on the hand, will offer a “useful additional treatment option”.
The news comes after the Scottish Government recently announced a round of funding to transform cancer care across NHS Scotland. Read the latest edition of the National Health Executive digital magazine and get exclusive insight from thought leaders from the NHS, third sector, and academia.
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