Treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis accepted for use on NHS
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Selpercatinib, also known as Retsevmo, for treating patients aged 12 and older, with a rare type of medullary thyroid cancer that is advanced and caused by mutations in a gene called RET.
The SMC has also has accepted Cladribine, also known as Mavenclad, for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in adults who have signs of active disease either through clinical signs or evidence of inflammation on scans.
And Ruxolitinib, also known as Jakavi, has been accepted to treat patients, aged 12 and over, with acute graft versus host disease where corticosteroids have not been effective.
Acute graft versus host disease happens when donor cells attack the body shortly after a transplant.
However Durvalumab, also known as Imfinzi, was not recommended when used together with tremelimumab as a first-line treatment for adults with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer when it is advanced or cannot be removed by surgery.
SMC chair Dr Scott Muir said: 'The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland.
'Cladribine as a short course of oral tablets may be a more manageable treatment option for patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
'Selpercatinib offers an oral targeted treatment for a small group of patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer, driven by a gene mutation.
'Ruxolitinib offers an oral treatment for graft versus host disease, a serious complication after a stem cell transplant. It is the only licensed treatment for use where corticosteroids have not been successful in controlling the disease.
'The committee was unable to accept durvalumab, used together with tremelimumab, for the treatment of adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
'The company's evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient.
'We would welcome a resubmission from the company addressing the issues we have raised.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Don't tell toddlers to calm down – teacher says use one phrase to stop tantrum
A teacher named Ms Claudia, who has over 20 years of experience with children, shared her go-to phrase for calming down a toddler in the middle of a temper tantrum - and it actually works If you're a parent, you've most likely heard the terms 'terrible twos' or 'threenagers' thrown around when discussing toddlers and younger children. As they're growing older and discover how to navigate the world, young kids can be susceptible to emotional outbursts and breakdowns when they become overwhelmed or when situations don't go as they wanted them to. While these emotional episodes are stressful for both the kids and their parents, they're a normal part of child development, according to the NHS. This is because younger children can't manage their feelings like grown-ups do, as tantrums often arise from frustration and limited communication abilities. While it can be easy for parents to also become emotional and stress when their child is mid-tantrum, especially when they happen in public spaces, it's crucial to approach these situations with care and understanding. To help, one teacher called Ms Claudia, who's spent over 20 working with young children, has stepped forward to share her knowledge on helping a small child calm down during an emotional meltdown. Posting on her TikTok page, which is known as 'thrivingmindsmontessori', Ms Claudia teased: "If your toddler is having a tantrum, kicking and screaming, this one simple phrase will help them calm down almost instantly." She went on to explain many parents might think the 'best thing' to do during a toddler's tantrum is to say things like 'calm down, you're fine'. However she went on to warn that these phrases often makes the situation worse. The teacher explained: "But after working with kids as a Montessori teacher of over 20 years, I can tell you this - those phrases don't work! They actually make things worse for you and your child." Instead, she suggested using an alternative phrase that can help sooth and calm them down. She advised: "Here's a phrase that will actually help them calm down - 'of course that felt big. I would have felt that way too'." Ms Claudia explained that by acknowledging their feelings with this phrase, children feel understood and validated, which is crucial for their emotional well-being. "This one sentence makes them feel safe. And when the child feels safe, that's when they calm down," she added. "So next time your child is sad because their snack broke, say 'of course that felt big, I would have felt sad too'," she told her viewers. The comments section was soon brimming with praise for Ms Claudia's advice, with one user exclaiming: "I wish everyone watched Ms Claudiaaaa. "Nobody wants to be told to calm down adults or children," echoed another commenter, highlighting the universal truth behind her guidance.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Report finds misogyny concerns within Sussex NHS trust
Senior staff at an under-fire NHS trust experienced "misogyny" from male colleagues and felt "psychologically unsafe", a report has working at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex) reported "eye-rolling", "dismissiveness" and "pejorative references to sexuality" made by senior report by healthcare consultancy firm Niche, published on 31 July, also found "significantly more focus" on culture was Andy Heeps, acting chief executive of the trust, said fundamental issues "need to change, and change quickly". Six senior members of staff used the term "misogyny" to describe colleagues' woman reported experiencing "unwanted romantic advances" and "inappropriate comments", but said no action was taken for months after this was shared with senior responses also made reference to the gender pay gap at the trust, which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital as well as sites in Worthing and Chichester, as a "symbol of institutional sexism".In 2024, the mean hourly pay difference between male and female colleagues in the trust was 16.83% and the gap had increased since 2023, the report found. Poor behaviour 'tolerated' The report also found that bad news was "discouraged" by senior leadership and differences in opinion were "unwelcome and dismissed".Poor behaviour was seen as "pervasive" in areas of the trust, with some saying it was "tolerated" by senior staff."Linked to this, a theme emerged around gender dynamics, particularly women in some areas and roles reporting that they feel psychologically unsafe in their working environment", the report report also included issues regarding environmental policies, with one staff member saying: "Patients are dying in the corridors, this is not the time to be greenwashing the trust." However, about half of the trust's senior leaders said it was a "nice place to work".UHSussex is currently the focus of a police investigation looking at more than 200 cases involving allegations of preventable deaths and response to the report, Dr Heeps said: "We have accepted all the recommendations, and we are already working to respond to them. But we will go further."Our new strategy will set out how we will develop better leadership and culture across our hospitals. "This Trust has massive potential, and we want to work with our colleagues to realise that potential."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside Justin Timberlake's 'debilitating' secret health battle and world tour struggles
Justin Timberlake's shock announcement that the singer has been secretly battling a debilitating health condition explains why his world tour was plagued by cancellations and performance issues Following a number of cancellations and performance issues with Justin Timberlake 's Forget Tomorrow World Tour, the Senorita singer made the shock announcement that he had been battling a secret health condition. The star revealed in a candid Instagram post that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks. Among other symptoms, the NHS states that chronic fatigue, lethargy, headaches and muscle and joint pain can all be attributed to the often misdiagnosed disease. He joins a number of other celebrities who have also been honest about contracting the illness, including Bella and Yolanda Hadid, Riley Keough, Justin Bieber, Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller. Lyme disease cases surged in the UK last year, with health authorities forced to issue an urgent warning to the public about the condition. It comes after it emerged Whitney Houston spent her tragic final moments 'feasting on food' with gravy boat in bathtub. Justin Timberlake's secret health battle Justin shared his thoughts on overcoming the condition, offering fans an explanation for some of the problems it had caused him. Writing on his story, the 44-year-old pop star opened up, saying: "Well, as these two incredible years come to an end and I look forward to the future, I wanted to write something from the heart. "It's not an easy task to try to contextualise the whirlwind of touring – but I will try…this has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, gruelling experience. I have been doing this for 30+ years (which feels crazy to say)—and have given all that I have to this. I could not have done it without my family, friends, the TN kids, and all of your support. "As many of you know, I'm a pretty private person. But as I'm reflecting on the tour and festival tour – I want to tell you a little bit about what's going on with me. "Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I don't say so you feel bad for me, but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes. If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has, then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. "When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going. "Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself, but I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to myself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted. Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I'd like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease, too." What is Lyme disease? Ticks that can cause Lyme disease are most commonly found in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwestern regions of the United States. But they are also known to be found all over the UK, with high-risk places including grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands. Although some individuals that have Lyme disease get a rash or bite mark, there are not always obvious symptoms. Two types of blood tests are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease, however these tests are not always accurate in the early stages. You may also need to be retested if you still believe you have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result, the NHS says. A course of antibiotics is usually the best treatment for the infection, although symptoms can go on for years. Justin's tour struggle The Forget Tomorrow World Tour was announced in support of Justin Timberlake's sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was. It kicked off on April 29, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada. He visited Europe, before heading back to Canada and the US. An extension to the tour, called JT Live 2025, saw the singer perform a number of festivals and one-off shows, before officially ending on 30 July in Istanbul, Turkey. But some fans were left disappointed with their idol, after he cancelled some concerts, with nobody knowing until this week why. His February concert at Ohio's Nationwide Arena was cancelled at the very last minute, leaving his fans angry and out of pocket. He wrote at the time: "You guys, I'm heartbroken, I have to cancel the show tonight." He added: "I went into soundcheck battling the flu and now it's gotten the best of me. It kills me to disappoint you and my team who worked so hard to make this show happen. "I want to reassure you, you'll be getting refunds for your tickets. I love you all." In October 2024, he also cancelled his performance in Newark, New Jersey, only telling his fans a few hours before the gig. The same month, he pulled out of a further six shows, after he was struck down with laryngitis and bronchitis. Fans left fuming One of the former N*Sync star's fans shared a video on X showing disappointed fans departing the venue en masse. The person wrote: "Everyone leaving Nationwide Arena because Justin Timberlake cancelled the LAST tour date after already rescheduling from October. 10 minutes before the opener and after doors opened." Other disgruntled fans replied with their own experiences, with one commenting: "Bought almost 40 bucks in drinks tonight, was sitting in our seats, we thought the announcement was a joke". Another added: "Paid 20 dollars in parking and now 2 vacation days wasted on this." Someone else was left raging at the short notice, commenting: "Canceling [because] of being sick is 100% understandable. Canceling 10 minutes before the doors were to open is unacceptable." Another wrote: "The show was canceled at 7:30 and the show was supposed to start at 8:00, I'm sorry if you have the flu you would've know before 1/2hour before the show starts. There were little kids standing in line that was devastated that you canceled. Shame on you."
