Two cancer drugs given go-ahead

TWO drugs have been approved for the NHS in Scotland to treat breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Breast cancer drug ribociclib, known by the brand name Kisqali, can give women with the disease an extra nine months of life.

Its approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium will benefit 700 patients.

The drug, which can slow the spread of the disease in postmenopausal women, was approved for the NHS in England in December.

Pembrolizumab, known as Keytruda, can give patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma extra time before a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, or long-lasting remission from the disease.

Angela Harris, head of Breast Cancer Care Scotland, said: ‘Ribociclib is an exciting milestone in treating this devastating disease.’