New osteoporosis drug approved for us in Scotland

A new drug to treat women with severe cases of the bone disease osteoporosis has been approved for routine use in the NHS in Scotland.
The new drug offers hope to sufferers of osteoporosisThe new drug offers hope to sufferers of osteoporosis
The new drug offers hope to sufferers of osteoporosis

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved the use of romosozumab, sold under the brand name Evenity, which helps build new bone.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) said the drug is the first new treatment in a decade and has "the potential to bring relief and hope to many women".

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The SMC approved the treatment for women with severe osteoporosis who have suffered fractures and are at high risk of further broken bones.

It has also approved new medicines for use in conditions including breast cancer and lung cancer.

Romosozumab was licenced by the European Medicines Agency more than a year ago and is in use in Europe and the US.

The ROS hopes it will be also be approved for NHS use elsewhere in the UK.

Francesca Thompson, ROS clinical and operations director, said: "We are delighted that the SMC has approved romosozumab for use in the NHS in Scotland to treat post-menopausal women who have a high risk of further fractures.

"This is the first new treatment for osteoporosis to become available for 10 years and we welcome the greater choice this brings to healthcare professionals and their patients.

"It is a particularly exciting addition because romosozumab is one of very few drugs that help to build new bone - and so represents an important treatment option in our armoury against the painful disabling fractures associated with this condition."

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