See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ETHAN ENNALS, HEALTH EDITOR Published: 22:00 BST, 27 June 2026 | Updated: 22:21 BST, 27 June 2026
Patients with an incurable lung disease can now access a revolutionary injection that can help prevent life-threatening flare-ups.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – or COPD – affects 1.7 million people in the UK. Patients often experience what are known as exacerbations, where symptoms get worse – raising the risk of serious complications. More than 30,000 people die every year due to the condition.New drug dupilumab can reduce the frequency of these exacerbations, which often lead to shortness of breath and coughing, by a third.The jab, taken every two weeks, was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) last year and, last week, the first COPD patients received the drug on the NHS.Experts say the injection could help slash COPD deaths and hospital admissions, which cost the health service around £2 billion a year.The condition, most commonly triggered by smoking, is typically treated with inhalers and steroids.Research also shows that lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can lower the risk of exacerbations. But studies show most COPD patients will live no more than a decade after their diagnosis. Revolutionary new drug dupilumab could cut COPD deaths and prevent life-threatening flare-ups. Pictured: A woman with COPD holds her chest (File image)Dupilumab targets proteins in the body that cause inflammation. This reduces swelling in the airways, as well as lowering mucus build up, which helps patient breathe easier.'Dupilumab offers people an effective, targeted therapy that has shown impressive results – reducing flare-ups and improving lung function,' said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE.'This is better for patients, offering genuine hope for a better quality of life, and better for the NHS'.The first to receive dupilumab was Patrick Regan, 67, of Catford, south-east London, who had the jab at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Mr Regan, who was diagnosed with COPD 15 years ago, said: 'I was happy to have it – anything to make me feel a bit better and breathing better. 'COPD effects me a lot and stops me doing things I want to do, like walking and going out with my kids and grandkids.'That's one of the most important reasons to get this medication.'
