NICE now recommends Repatha (evolocumab) for dyslipidaemia-Amgen

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has changed its mind regarding Repatha (evolocumab) from Amgen. In a new appraisal NICE accepts Repatha alone or in combination with other lipid lowering therapies at a dosage of 140 mg every two weeks and subject to a discount to the NHS. The recommendation extends to patients with primary non familial hypercholesterolemia or those with mixed dyslipidaemia with progressive CV disease who also have persistently high LDL-C levels despite maximum lipid lowering therapies and those who cannot take statins.

Patients with primary heterozygous-familial hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia with progressive, symptomatic CV disease and persistently high LDL-C concentrations despite maximum lipid-lowering therapy also may access to the drug, as do those with severe primary heterozygous-familial hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia without CV disease, if they continue to have high levels of cholesterol despite maximum lipid-lowering therapy and cannot take statins.

Comment: Amgen sees another priority as those patients with existing cardiovascular disease who fail to reduce their LDL-C to a satisfactory level despite the use of statins and who remain at high risk. Their need for new treatment options is important to help avoid a heart attack or stroke.