New hay fever pill will retrain the immune system
The immunotherapy drug aims to treat the root cause of symptoms by retraining the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use.
Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by ALK-Abello, is a tablet that contains birch pollen extract.
It has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to be an option the NHS for around 27,000 people whose hay fever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays.
About 13 million people in the UK have hay fever during the spring and summer months, and about one in four sufferers are allergic to tree pollen.
Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes and changes in vision.
Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hay fever by changing how the body responds to allergens.
Could benefit 27,000 people
The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen.
Before being given the tablets, patients will require a skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen.
Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'This treatment will help improve people's quality of life.
'Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life.
'The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms.'
According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about a quarter of hay fever sufferers.
Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: 'Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season.
'We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
'Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life.'
Emil Stage Olsen, ALK-Abello's general manager for the UK and Ireland, added: 'We welcome this positive Nice recommendation, which is another meaningful advancement for the UK allergy community.
'Our focus is now on working closely with the NHS to ensure eligible patients can benefit from this first-in-class immunotherapy.'
The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance.
Prof Meghana Pandit, co-medical director at NHS England, welcomed the announcement.
She said: 'This innovative treatment, which will soon be rolled out on the NHS, enables patients to build up tolerance to birch tree pollen within their immune system, rather than just treating the symptoms – and we hope this will give many a new lease of life, allowing people to spend time enjoying being outside, without the discomfort allergies can bring.'
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