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Commissioning
NHS to offer licensed cannabis-based medicine to treat rare genetic condition
The NHS will be able to prescribe cannabidiol to patients with a rare, seizure-causing genetic disorder in England from today (Tuesday) after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued final guidance recommending its use. Around one in every 6,000 people suffer from tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that causes seizures, which severely affect […]
NHS set to eliminate Hepatitis C ahead of rest of the world
The NHS is on track to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2025 thanks to a pioneering drug deal that is helping dramatically cut deaths – five years ahead of global targets. Following a five-year contract worth almost £1 billion to buy antiviral drugs for thousands of patients, deaths from Hepatitis C – including liver disease and […]
Breakthrough treatment to boost life chances for hundreds of people with respiratory cancer
The first new mesothelioma treatment to be approved in nearly 15 years will be made available for hundreds of patients with aggressive respiratory cancer, the NHS announced today. The life extending treatment, which has been approved for use today by NICE after the NHS struck a new commercial deal for the medicines, will combine nivolumab […]
NHS fast tracks new ‘gamechanging’ drug for lung cancer
A targeted new drug for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer will be fast-tracked to eligible patients within weeks, thanks to a deal brokered by NHS England. Patients in England will be the first in Europe to access Mobocertinib – the only precision drug available to patients with a mutation-driven, advanced form of […]
Life-extending injection for blood cancer available on the NHS
A life-extending injection for a fatal form of blood cancer will be available to around 350 patients per year in England, the NHS chief executive has announced. The drug, which can extend the lives of patients with a recurring and incurable cancer of the bone marrow cells – known as multiple myeloma – by an […]
NHS treats first sickle cell disease patients with life-changing drug
One of the first patients to access a ground-breaking treatment for sickle cell disease on the NHS says she is “over the moon” to have received the “lifechanging” new drug. Loury Mooruth, 62, from Walsall in the West Midlands, is one of the first people to receive crizanlizumab at Birmingham NHS Trust – the first […]
NHS pledges more support for victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse alongside powerful awareness campaign
Victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse are being encouraged to come forward for NHS help and care, as part of a major campaign backed by a £20 million boost to specialist services. Two new clinical lead roles for domestic violence and sexual assault are also being created, alongside dedicated domestic violence support for […]
NHS to roll out life-saving gene therapy for rare disease affecting babies
The NHS has struck a deal for a life-saving treatment, reportedly the most expensive drug in the world, that will offer babies and young children with a rare and fatal genetic disease the prospect of a normal life, the health service chief executive has announced today. The revolutionary gene therapy treatment is known by its […]
Lung cancer patients to benefit from revolutionary new drug on NHS
Thousands of lung cancer patients in England will be fast-tracked a ground-breaking new drug which can significantly reduce the risk of cancer returning, thanks to a deal brokered by NHS England. The MHRA has now approved the effective therapy, atezolizumab, to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with more than 850 patients in England expected […]
New treatment to reduce effects of peanut allergy to benefit thousands of children
Thousands of children and young people will receive a pioneering treatment for peanut allergy after NHS England secured the first deal of its kind in Europe. The treatment, known as Palforzia, helps to reduce the severity of reactions to peanuts – including anaphylaxis – making family holidays abroad, birthday parties, and Christmas treats possible for […]