UK PHAGE THERAPY

Phages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. They are also known as bacteriophages - which literally means 'bacteria eaters'.

The use of naturally occurring phages to treat bacterial infections in people. 

No. Phages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria, they do not infect human cells. 

Everywhere! Phages are found wherever bacteria are found. Stuff with lots of bacteria in contains lots of phages, like sewage or poo. 

Phages can also be found in or on people. There are more phages on or in you than there are cells in your body!

There has been a misconception that existing medicines regulations do not work for phages because phages are so different from the normal types of drugs we use.

In fact, current UK regulations do not pose a barrier to the appropriate use of phage therapy or the development of phage-based products. Although of course the need for regulatory refinements may become clear in future.

Currently, as set out in MHRA Guidance Note 14, unlicensed medicines (such as phages) may be used in the UK when clinicians decide that licensed alternatives are not meeting a patient's clinical needs. Unlicensed medicines are regularly used in the NHS and the NHS has existing policies governing the use of unlicensed medicines.

A key barrier is that phages produced in the UK must be made in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GMP is an internationally recognised quality standard. Currently, all phages used clinically in the UK are imported.

UK Phage Therapy is working with public and private partners to establish GMP phage production in the UK.

Please use the contact form below to get in touch and we will walk you through every step of the process.

Patients in the UK must discuss with their own consultant whether phage therapy may be suitable for them.

Phage therapy is not a licensed medicine in the UK. It is up to your consultant to decide whether phage therapy should be considered. Phage therapy may only be considered where licensed alternatives (e.g. antibiotics) are not meeting a patient's clinical needs.

If phage therapy is considered a suitable option then your consultant will need to source phage therapy and request to use it through your NHS Trust's appropriate policies. Each NHS Trust has different policies and the processes will differ between Trusts.

Patients should not have to travel outside of their NHS Trust to receive phage therapy.

Consultants request support from UKPT's National Clinical Phage Service.

UKPT is able to respond to general enquiries from patients about phage therapy, but cannot discuss the provision of phage with patients as that is a discussion that must be had between patient and consultant.