Mucositis is a condition characterised by pain and inflammation of the body's mucous membranes which line the digestive system from the mouth to the anus.
Of the circa 352,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients every year in the UK, 34% or approximately 118,000 patients have cancers situated in the lower abdominal or pelvic areas.
Estimates indicate that 90,000 people are living with chronic changes in lower GI function following radiotherapy or surgery from pelvic cancers. These patients may be affected by rectal mucositis (Proctitis) which includes painful ulcers and bleeding in the patient's rectum and anus.
Mucodis Rectal Gel is the penultimate product to be launched in the initial Mucodis range of 5 products which provides the NHS with prescribable products to address a number of the side effects associated with cancer treatments including mucositis, radiation-induced dermatitis, vulvovaginitis and proctitis.
Colonis has been granted an exclusive distribution licence for these products for 5 years, with an option to extend beyond this initial period.
Andrew Scaife, Chief Executive of Quantum Pharma Plc, commented: "We are delighted to be able to provide this treatment to help aid proctitis, a painful and often incapacitating symptom associated with cancer treatment.
"We are excited by the potential that the Mucodis range offers the NHS and patients as there is a clear unmet need for this type of relief and we are confident that our products will have a significant effect on improving patients' quality of life."