‘Gamechanging’ heart disease drug approved for use in England

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Northerner

Northerner

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Patients in England are to start receiving a “gamechanger” drug that doctors say will protect tens of thousands of lives by cutting the number of people who have a heart attack or stroke.

The treatment, inclisiran, works by boosting the liver’s ability to reduce the body’s level of “bad” cholesterol, even in those who have already tried using statins.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has approved the drug for use by the NHS in England after clinical trials showed that it was highly effective.

It is being made available immediately after Novartis, the company that makes the drug, agreed to lower the price in a deal with NHS England that will result in 300,000 patients using inclisiran in the next three years.

www.theguardian.com

‘Gamechanging’ heart disease drug approved for use in England

Doctors say inclisiran will prevent tens of thousands of deaths from heart attack and stroke
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
It might be effective in altering cholesterol levels - but does it actually make much difference to the health of the patient?
I am just suspicious that the ambulance is being blamed for the RTA - after all whenever there's an accident, you see ambulances, right?
 
Drummer said:
Thought so.
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A while ago there was a drug whose name I forget which definitely reduced cholesterol but ended up being either ineffective or actually harmful. Hope this one doesn't turn out like that. Presumably they have some reason to think this one will likely be helpful (beyond just its effect on cholesterol).
 
The way I heard the reports on this is that is for people who have already had a stroke, or heart problems.
 
grovesy said:
The way I heard the reports on this is that is for people who have already had a stroke, or heart problems.
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Yes, exactly that. Partly because (even with the unspecified deal) it's still costly, and partly because the evidence that it'll help is still a bit weak. But for some people they judge that it's worth it.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
Yes, exactly that. Partly because (even with the unspecified deal) it's still costly, and partly because the evidence that it'll help is still a bit weak. But for some people they judge that it's worth it.
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I think also for people with genetically high lipids and for those who cannot tolerate statins as well as those with heart disease.
 
Article I found interesting for detail & background: https://www.tctmd.com/news/big-drop...iran-us-clinicians-still-await-drugs-approval

It's a "gamechanger" vs other PCSK9 inhibitors (the -mab's) mainly because it's a twice yearly shot, rather than monthly or more frequently. That's probably a big deal, all else being equal.

BTW, the association between lowering LDL and reducing CVD risk is one of the most studied and best evidenced assocations out there.
 
All these folks on the forum who say this drug is expensive for a twice yearly injection had better keep quiet if they’ve ever worked out the cost of yearly insulin and Libre test sensors.

It’s a cost benefit which I assume NICE has worked out, and are rightly restricting it those in whom statins don’t work and those who have familial hypercholesterlaemia.

@Drummer’s comment made me laugh. You might equally say it’s not the high HbA1c kills you, it’s the complications.
 
Seen this all over news, potential to save so many lives, well done Nice for approving drug.
 
And well done NICE for facing up to Big Pharma for a lowering of the cost.
 
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