New sickle cell disease drug approved for use in England – here’s how voxelotor works

A drug that can treat severe sickle cell disease has recently been given approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Up to 4,000 patients in England living with sickle cell disease will now be offered voxelotor (also known under the brand name Oxbryta) to alleviate their symptoms.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that affects red blood cells, causing them to deform into a sickle shape.