Oral Sickle Cell Treatment Approved in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has made the decision to accept the medicine hydroxycarbamide (Xromi) for restricted use by NHS Scotland.

On the 10th July, the SMC completed its assessment of hydroxycarbamide 100mg/mL oral solution (Xromi), and following review by the SMC executive, advises NHS Boards and Area Drug and Therapeutic Committees (ADTCs) on its use in NHS Scotland. 

Hydroxycarbamide (Xromi) is a licensed, strawberry flavoured oral liquid formulation for the prevention of vaso-occlusive complications of sickle cell in patients over 2 years of age. It is expected to be used in children under the age of 9 years who find swallowing tablets difficult.

The Sickle Cell Society worked with Nova Laboratories on their patient facing materials to ensure they were clear and easy to understand.

This is great news for the sickle cell community in Scotland and shows the promising trajectory of treatments being made available for people living with sickle cell across the UK.

Hydroxycarbamide (Xromi) is also currently available in England and Wales.