Irish regulators have given the green light for a new lung cancer drug after a significant delay. Keytruda, which has already been approved in 13 other European countries, will be available to Irish patients from next month after being approved for reimbursement by the Health Service Executive. Lung cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer in Ireland but the leading cause of death from cancer. “Approving a drug for patients who cannot avail of it is not approval,” consultant oncologist John Crown said last night. He said that, while not suitable for all cancer patients, Keytruda and similar immunotherapy drugs have wider potential, “offering real hope to people facing fatal diagnosis”.

Source: The Irish Times March 28, 2018 05:26 UTC