NHS England has approved funding for a new sub-cutaneous formulation of Roche’s cancer drug MabThera (rituximab) which offers patients with follicular lymphoma a more convenient treatment option while potentially saving the National Health Service a lot of cash.

The Swiss drug giant said its subcutaneous injection can be delivered in just five minutes, compared to the current two and a half hours it takes for an intravenous infusion, making more efficient use of resources and improving the patient experience.

Around 2,400 patients with follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, are expected to be eligible for maintenance treatment with MabThera SC, each gaining up to 43 hours over the course of their treatment. “This will be liberating news for thousands of patients who will have more valuable time to spend with their family and friends,” noted Andrew Davies, Consultant in Medical Oncology at University Hospital Southampton.

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