GlaxoSmithKline has received approval from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), for its platelet-boosting drug Revolade in the treatment of adult bleeding disorder, chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura.
Dubbed as eltrombopag, Revolade is indicated to increase platelet counts in splenectomized patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and who are refractory to first-line treatments such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins.
Eltrombopag is also licensed as a second-line treatment in adult patients who have not had a splenectomy as surgery is not advisable.
The drug has been recommended as an option for these patient groups based on severe disease and a high risk of bleeding that needs courses of rescue therapies frequently.
It can also be used as part of a patient access scheme, if the manufacturer makes it available to the NHS under the terms agreed with the Department of Health.
NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre director Professor Carole Longson said that people who have chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura are at daily risk of nosebleeds or other bleeding that is hard to stop.
The eltrombopag recommendation will prove to be a relief to all those affected with the condition, Longson added.
