cITP Drug Revolade now Available on the NHS

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued new guidance regarding Revolade (eltrombopag), which states it is now the "recommended option for treating adults with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP)".

GlaxoSmithKline's product was deemed to be a cost-effective and clinically effective treatment option following submission of a patient access scheme, so the medication will be available through the NHS in England and Wales to patients who fit the recommended criteria.

Professor Adrian Newland, clinical director for pathology at The Royal London Hospital, said: "With their recommendation on the use of eltrombopag within its licensed indication, we now have an important addition to the treatment options for patients with severe or refractory disease."

cITP is a bleeding disorder which occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that lock onto platelets, which in turn causes the spleen to destroy them. Symptoms include easy bruising, nosebleeds and abnormally heavy menstruation.

Clinical trials show that Revolade helps to address low platelet counts and thus treat the symptoms by activating the JAK-STAT signalling pathway, which in turn causes proliferation of megakaryocytes, bone marrow cells that produce platelets.