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-line and beyond treatment when other treatments haven't worked or are not suitable.
This is excellent news which adds to the NICE approval in England and Wales this June.
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. This offers more options and could give patients precious extra time with their loved ones.”
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