Inclisiran, a new cholesterol-lowering medication, has been approved for use in the United Kingdom. The National Health Service (NHS) has reached an agreement to provide the drug to patients who need it.
Inclisiran is a type of medication known as a PCSK9 inhibitor. It works by blocking the action of a protein in the liver that prevents the liver from removing LDL cholesterol from the blood. By inhibiting this protein, inclisiran allows the liver to remove more LDL cholesterol, which can lower a patient`s risk of heart disease.
The medication is administered via injection. Patients receive two injections in the first month of treatment, followed by one injection every six months after that. The treatment is designed to be long-lasting, with the aim of reducing the need for daily medication.
The approval of inclisiran is a significant development in the management of cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the UK, heart disease is responsible for around 160,000 deaths each year.
The NHS agreement on inclisiran is a positive step for patients. The drug will be available to those who are at high risk of heart disease and have been unable to manage their cholesterol levels with existing treatments. This includes patients who have inherited high cholesterol or who experience side effects from traditional statin therapy.
Inclisiran is also cost-effective compared to other cholesterol-lowering medications. The NHS agreement means that the medication will be available at a reduced cost, making it more accessible to patients who need it.
In conclusion, the NHS agreement on inclisiran is a significant development for the management of high cholesterol. This new medication offers a long-lasting treatment option for patients who have struggled to manage their cholesterol levels with existing therapies. With the reduction in cost, inclisiran will be more accessible to those who need it, and will hopefully lead to a decrease in the number of deaths caused by heart disease in the UK.