Most expensive drug in the world at becomes available on the NHS
The world’s most expensive drug costing up to £1.8million per dose has been licensed for use on the NHS.
It means that up to 80 children a year born with a rare muscle-wasting disease could receive life-changing treatment after the NHS struck a ‘landmark deal’.
The one-time drug, called Zolgensma, is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy – an often fatal condition that affects nerves in the spinal cord and causes paralysis.
The medicine – which replicates a missing gene to restore nerve and muscle function – can help children breathe without ventilators, sit up, crawl and walk.
Although the treatment reportedly costs nearly £1.8million per dose, NHS England said it has struck a ‘landmark confidential deal’ so patients can get it ‘at a price that is fair to taxpayers’.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief of NHS England, praised the deal as a ‘life-changer’.
He added: ‘Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the leading genetic cause of death among babies and young children, which is why NHS England has moved mountains to make this treatment available, while successfully negotiating hard behind the scenes to ensure a price that is fair to taxpayers.’
Babies born with severe type 1 SMA – the most common form of the condition – have a life expectancy of just two years.
But studies show a one-time intravenous infusion of Zolgensma can help infants breathe without ventilators, sit up without help, and crawl and walk.
As many as 80 babies and young children could benefit from the life-changing treatment each year, said NHS England.
The drug contains a replica of the missing gene SMN1 and the active ingredient, onasemnogene abeparvovec, enters the nerves and restores the gene, which then produces proteins needed for nerve function and controlling muscle movement.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘This drug is a game-changer for babies born with this rare muscle wasting disease and I am absolutely delighted the NHS will soon be able to offer this therapy to babies and young children.
‘Every child deserves to enjoy a happy, healthy future, free from pain, and the NHS is working tirelessly to make this happen.’
The deal was secured with US-based manufacturer Novartis Gene Therapies.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) published draft guidance recommending treatment with Zolgensma for babies aged up to 12 months with type 1 SMA.
A Nice statement said: ‘Despite the high cost of the treatment it can be recommended for use on the NHS because of the evidence of exceptional benefit to young babies, potentially allowing them to reach normal childhood developmental milestones.
‘Because of the limited trial data for children aged seven to 12 months, their treatment should be discussed by a national multidisciplinary clinical team.’
Sir Simon added: ‘Although the health service is still under real pressure from Covid, and NHS England is also focused on leading the national Covid vaccination rollout, today’s agreement is an important reminder that the NHS is looking after millions of other patients too, for whom real medical advances are now possible.’
Source: Daily Mail
