Scotland first in UK to approve new cancer drugs

Two new drugs have been approved for use in Scotland, which will become the first place in the UK that they will become part of the routine treatment for certain forms of cancer. The NHS will offer the two new drugs as part of its routine treatment of cancers, which could help to improve the outcome for patients.

One of the drugs that has been newly approved - enzalutamide - could help to extend the lives of men that have been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The Scottish Medicines Consortium accepted the drug, which could benefit thousands of men every year.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium also approved the regular use of axitinib, which could be highly beneficial for patients with kidney cancer when the disease has spread. The drug will be available to those that have not responded to other forms of treatment for the disease. It is possible that the newly accepted drugs could alter the way these types of cancers are treated within the country.

Around 2,500 men are affected by prostate cancer every year in Scotland alone, with between ten and 20 per cent of patients developing the advanced form of the disease. Due to the high rate of affected people, cancer charities and those within the medical profession have welcomed the approval of the new drugs.

Rob Lester, chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group, said: "In recent years the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer in Scotland has increased and now many men and their families are affected year on year.

"Today's news brings fresh hope for these individuals. We look forward to a time when more men with advanced prostate cancer are eligible for this treatment."

Campaigners have now pledged they will fight for the enzalutamide to be approved for use throughout the rest of the UK in a bid to benefit a wider range of cancer sufferers and potentially save lives. However, it has already been decided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence that axitinib will not be approved throughout the rest of the UK and so people will have to attempt to receive it through the Cancer Drugs Fund.