The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) – who advises on newly licensed medicines for use by NHS Scotland – has accepted Blinatumomab (also known as Blincyto) for treating adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.
Rucaparib (also known as Rubraca) was also accepted for use as a maintenance treatment for adults with advanced ovarian cancer, following first-line chemotherapy.
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Dr Scott Muir, SMC chairman said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland.
“Blinatumomab, used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, reduces the risk of relapse and is expected to improve survival, giving patients extra time with their loved ones.
“Rucaparib will provide another treatment option for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.”
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It follows the approval of three new cancer treatments by the NHS in Scotland last month.
The SMC approved the drug brentuximab vedotin, also known as Adcetris, which can be used together with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for adult patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma – an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
Meanwhile, zanubrutinib, also known as Brukinsa, was accepted to treat adults with mantle cell lymphoma – a rare type of the blood cancer non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Ripretinib – also known as Qinlock – was also accepted to treat adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours, which are a rare type of cancer of the digestive system.