Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has announced that NHS England has selected the automated red blood cell exchange (RBCX) procedure performed on the company’s Spectra Optia Apheresis System to treat sickle cell disease.
As a result of this decision, Spectra Optia will be deployed more widely in hospitals across England. This will enable sickle cell disease patients to have improved access to this life-changing treatment.
“Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that can result in unbearable pain and the need for emergency hospitalisation,” said Antoinette Gawin (CEO, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies). “Specific ethnic minorities suffering from sickle cell disease are an underserved group of patients due to historical health inequalities. We have used Spectra Optia to target sickle cell disease to help address some of these inequalities.
“Existing standards of care for sickle cell disease vary by region in England and often come with additional health complications that lead to higher costs and poor health outcomes. The Spectra Optia system will be used to help treat more patients across England far more cost-effectively.”
Sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic conditions affecting people in England. There are currently over 12,000 patients receiving treatment in 68 different NHS hospitals. Forty per cent of those patients are under 20 years old.