Although we won't be issuing a formal
press release, we wanted to let you know around 27,000 people
with anaemia due to chronic kidney disease will have the option
to take a new drug recommended by NICE today (Thursday, 12
December).
Vadadustat, also known as Vafseo and
made by Medice, is recommended in final draft guidanceas an
option for treating symptomatic anaemia caused by chronic kidney
disease in adultshaving maintenance
dialysis.
Anaemia is common in people with
chronic kidney disease (CKD) and left untreated can cause kidney
failure. Anaemia can also cause fatigue, dizziness and headaches
and can have a significant impact on quality of
life.
Anaemia caused by chronic kidney
disease is usually treated with iron injections but if that does
not work well enough, people can be given erythropoiesis
stimulating agents (ESAs) -medications which stimulate the bone
marrow to make red blood cells.
Vadadustat, which is given as a tablet
taken daily, is being recommended as an alternative to ESAs. Like
ESAs, it helps the bone marrow to create more red blood
cells.
The clinical experts told NICE's
independent appraisal committee most people having dialysis,
whether in a clinic or at home, will have ESA injections as part
of their treatment.
As a tablet Vadadustat could benefit
people who are unable to inject themselves or if their anaemia is
resistance to ESA.
When the kidneys are not working
properly, they produce less of the hormone which triggers the
bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Red blood cells use
haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the tissues and
organs.
Clinical trial evidence shows that
vadadustat increases the red blood cell count in adults with
symptomatic anaemia due to CKD who are having maintenance
dialysis.
The treatment would be available on
the NHS in England within three months of NICE's final guidance
being published. The company has a confidential commercial
arrangement through a simple patient access scheme which makes
vadadustat available to the NHS with a
discount.
Read the full final draft guidance
for vadadustat for treating symptomatic anaemia in adults
having dialysis for chronic kidney
disease.
