Blood disease cases up 760% in last 20 years

Miracle drug approved in Scotland

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

SUFFERERS of a blood disease whose numbers are soaring are being helped by a miracle drug.

There were 48 cases of sickle cell disease in Scotland in 2005 but the most recent figures show numbers have risen to 413 - a rise of 760 per cent in less than 20 years.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has now approved the use of the new drug voxelotor on the NHS, which it is hoped will bring huge improvements to the lives of sufferers.

Sickle cell disease causes sufferers' red blood cells to be shaped like sickles or crescent moons, making it harder to carry oyxgen around the body.