GSK's Revolade recommended by UK's NICE for low blood platelet counts

The UK’s drugs watch dog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that pharma major GlaxoSmithKline’s (LSE: GSK) Revolade (eltrombopag) be made available on the National Health Service for treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Final guidance from the NICE said the once-daily oral treatment, now available on the NHS, offers patients a clinically and cost-effective option to treat low blood platelet counts in adult chronic ITP (cITP).

Adrian Newland, clinical director for pathology, The Royal London Hospital quoted by GSK, said: “I was very pleased to see that NICE has recognized the clinical value and cost-effectiveness of eltrombopag in their guidance. 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.”