NHS set to roll out eczema treatment made in Ireland

Delgocitinib, also known as Anzupgo, is made by Leo Pharma in Dublin

More than 62,000 people in England suffer from debilitating hand eczema. (Picture: PA)

An eczema treatment made in Ireland by Leo Pharma has been given the go-ahead to be rolled out on Britain's NHS.

Delgocitinib, also known as Anzupgo, has been given the green light for NHS use for adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema. More than 62,000 people in England with debilitating hand eczema could benefit from the treatment, made by Leo Pharma in Crumlin in Dublin. 

Leo Pharma's headquarters are in Denmark with a global team of 4,200 workers. 

"Nice's positive recommendation of delgocitinib is a brilliant outcome for the eczema community in the UK who struggle so badly with chronic hand eczema," said Andrew Proctor, chief executive of the UK National Eczema Society. 

"We use our hands all the time, whether it's texting, operating machinery, caring for others or pretty much anything else. Yet for many people living with chronic hand eczema, even routine tasks can become painful and life-limiting."

In Ireland, Leo Pharma has manufacturing, production and commercial operations in Dublin and Cork, employing 550 people. The Dublin site was established in 1958 and focuses on the company's dermatological portfolio, while the Heparin purification plant in Little Island Cork was built in 1987 and focuses on heparin purification to make active pharmaceutical ingredients for thrombotic products to combat blood clots.

Delgocitinib should be offered to people with limited options, as steroid creams have not worked or are not suitable, Nice said.

Current treatments for these patients include ultraviolet light therapy, requiring regular hospital visits, or retinoid medication, which is taken as capsules but can cause side effects such as dizziness, dry eyes, dry mouth, alopecia, anaemia and conjunctivitis.

According to Nice, the rollout of delgocitinib could reduce outpatient procedures such as phototherapy, as well as freeing up clinical capacity for other people requiring specialist care.

Delgocitinib will be available on the NHS within 90 days.