Arabic version: حقنة جديدة من كيترودا تعد بإقامة أقصر في المستشفيات لمرضى السرطان
A new injectable form of the cancer drug Keytruda could significantly reduce the time NHS patients spend in hospitals. This innovative treatment, which is already used to combat various cancers, allows for a much quicker administration compared to the traditional intravenous infusion method.
According to BBC News, the new injection is expected to cut the administration time from over an hour to just a couple of minutes. Shirley Xerxes, an 86-year-old patient from St Albans in Hertfordshire, was among the first to receive the jab at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre near Watford. She expressed gratitude for the quicker treatment, stating it has allowed her more time for personal activities, such as gardening.
Approximately 14,000 cancer patients in England begin treatment with Keytruda annually, and many are anticipated to transition to this new injectable version. The drug is effective against 14 types of cancer, including lung, head and neck, cervical, and breast cancer. The injectable treatment can be administered every three weeks in a one-minute session or every six weeks in a two-minute session, depending on the patient’s diagnosis.
NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Prof Peter Johnson, highlighted the potential benefits of this new method, noting that it could alleviate the burden on chemotherapy units and facilitate treatment in community settings. While NHS England has not disclosed the cost of this new drug form, it is believed that the pricing will be similar to the existing intravenous version.
Keytruda has already achieved remarkable financial success, with estimated global sales reaching $180 billion since its launch. However, the introduction of the injectable form has drawn scrutiny, with some critics suggesting it may be a strategy to maintain market exclusivity as its patents near expiration. MSD, the drug’s manufacturer, defends the new form as offering substantial advantages for healthcare providers by streamlining the administration process.
