SMC approves fruquintinib for advanced bowel cancer patients in Scotland
Monday 13 October 2025
We’re pleased that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved the use of the drug fruquintinib (Fruzaqla) for eligible bowel cancer patients living in Scotland.
The drug will now be available on the NHS for patients with advanced bowel cancer, also known as stage 4 or metastatic bowel cancer, who have previously been treated with available therapies like chemotherapy.
Fruquintinib can be used as a third or fourth-line treatment when other treatments – such as Lonsurf with Avastin or Stivarga – haven't worked or are not suitable.
This is excellent news as the SMC initially declined to approve fruquintinib for advanced bowel cancer patients in May this year. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) later approved it for patients in England and Wales this June.
Fruquintinib is still being reviewed by NICE to decide if it will be made available for advanced bowel cancer patients in Northern Ireland. We'll continue to advocate for greater patient choice in bowel cancer treatments.
Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research, Policy and Influencing at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “We’re delighted the SMC has approved fruquintinib for use on the NHS in Scotland, just a few months after NICE’s decision to do so in England and Wales.
“More patients now have potential access to this treatment, and we hope to see swift access for patients in Northern Ireland too. This treatment offers more options and could give patients precious extra time with their loved ones.”
- Read our expert information about advanced bowel cancer
- Find out about the latest issues we're campaigning on
- Access our range of support services for all those affected by bowel cancer
