Heart Research UK comment – Life-saving cholesterol jab recommended on NHS

Story – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58393866

Copy from BBC News

An expensive but “game-changing” anti-cholesterol drug could soon be offered to hundreds of thousands of people in England and Wales on the NHS.

NHS England says inclisiran, given as a twice-a-year injection, could save about 30,000 lives within a decade.

It normally costs nearly £2,000 per dose but Novartis, which makes it, has agreed an undisclosed discount.

It can lower bad fat in the blood when other cheaper drugs, like statins, have not done enough, says draft advice.

The health watchdog NICE is recommending it as an option for people who have already had a stroke or heart attack and are not responding to other cholesterol-lowering treatments.

Experts hope it will help to cut their risk of further life-threatening cardiovascular events.

/ends – copy from BBC news – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58393866

Heart Research UK comment

Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK, said:

“This innovative medicine has the potential to save the lives of many people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, by reducing their risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events in the future. It is very good news that there is an alternative treatment option when statins are not effective enough.”