Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

NICE recommends new treatment for urothelial cancer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a new treatment, ‘avelumab’, for metastatic urothelial cancer.

The recommendation follows a successful appeal by stakeholders against the previous recommendation made by NICE and further evidence from the company, including an increased commercial discount.


The draft guidance recommends avelumab (also known as Bavencio and made by Merck Serono) as maintenance treatment for adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer that has not got worse after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Clinical trial evidence showed that avelumab increases both how long people live and the length of time before their disease gets worse compared with best supportive care alone.

Urothelial cancer is a type of bladder cancer and is three to four times more common in men. Around one in 50 men and one in 133 women will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in their lifetime. The majority of cases occur in people aged over 60. The main risk factor for bladder cancer is increasing age, but smoking and exposure to some industrial chemicals also increases the risk.

Helen Knight, interim director for medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “People with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer often have a poor quality of life and a poor prognosis. Avelumab is a promising drug which has the potential to extend life. The committee recognised there are few treatments available to people with this form of cancer, many of whom have to wait until their disease gets worse before they are able to have immunotherapy or further courses of chemotherapy.”

Avelumab is a monoclonal antibody which attaches to a specific protein in the body known as PD-L1. Avelumab works by binding to the PD-L1 protein and blocks its effect. This allows the immune system to attack tumour cells.

More For You

GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £10m reimbursement uplift amid ongoing negotiations

Negotiations continue on the Global Sum element of remuneration.

Getty Images

Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £120m reimbursement deal for 2025/26

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

The agreement marks the first phase of ongoing negotiations surrounding community pharmacy funding for the upcoming financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less