Breast cancer and lymphoma drugs approved in Scotland

An NHS Scotland advisory body has approved the use of new drugs to treat breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted two new treatments for the illnesses after review through its patient and clinician engagement process.

Ribociclib (Kisqali) was approved for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, while pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was accepted for advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma in patients who have failed to respond to previous treatments.

Dr Alan Macdonald, chairman of the SMC committee, said:“iampleasedwewereable to accept these medicines.”