Overview

• Voxelotor, a new sickle cell disease treatment, is now available on NHS England for patients 12 and older, following approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).
• The treatment is expected to benefit around 4,000 patients in England, reducing their need for blood transfusions and frequent hospital admissions.
• Health officials highlight the drug's potential to address long-standing health inequalities experienced by the Black African and Caribbean communities.
• Patients report substantial improvements in quality of life, including reduced pain and increased energy levels.
• The approval marks a significant advancement in sickle cell treatment, which has seen limited development over the past decades.