New advanced cancer drug available for NHS in Scotland
Tuesday 14 February 2017
Yesterday (Monday 13 February) The Scottish Medicines Consortium has approved the drug, Lonsurf, for use in NHS Scotland. The drug is already available on the NHS in England and Wales.
Lonsurf is recommended as a treatment option for patients with advanced bowel cancer living in Scotland who have been previously treated with or are not eligible for other available treatments.
Advanced bowel cancer is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Prompt access to effective treatments is essential to extend and enhance quality of life for those where cure is not an option. Lonsurf could offer patients an additional two months survival meaning patients have more time to spend with loved ones.
Lonsurf is an oral therapy which has limited side effects, so for those who may be at the end of their life and are unable to go to the hospital, it is a convenient and accessible form of treatment.
Asha Kaur, Policy Manager at Bowel Cancer UK, said:
“The announcement of Lonsurf in Scotland is good news and in line with England and Wales.
“Currently people with advanced disease have limited treatments available to them on the NHS meaning lives are being cut short unnecessarily. The approval of Lonsurf in Scotland will now give both clinicians and patients’ choice when they have run out of options.
“Survival rates for advanced bowel cancer are poor with less than one in ten people surviving more than five years. These patients deserve access to the best quality treatment and care.”
We are determined to improve survival and support for people with advanced bowel cancer. Find out more about how we’re campaigning to improve the treatment and care of people with advanced bowel cancer here.