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Spain begins financing new highly-effective cholesterol treatment
The Spanish government will cover the costs of this new drug for patients with very high cholesterol
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death not only in Spain, but in the world. In 2021, more than 119,000 people died from these conditions, which represents a staggering 26.4% of the total fatalities in the country.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - which involves the accumulation of 'bad' cholesterol in the arteries - is one of these great evils. But as of November 1, it will have a very effective remedy as the Ministry of Health will begin to finance Leqvio, the first single drug against cholesterol which scientists claim is capable of reducing low-intensity lipoprotein levels by more than 50%.
How does it work?
This new treatment is based on RNA technology, which has also been used to develop coronavirus vaccines, and will consist of two injections per year, usually administered to the belly, arm or thigh.
Three months later, a second jab is administered and the injections continue every six months thereafter.
It goes without saying that patients will also be advised to stick to a low-fat diet and the treatment can also be used in conjunction with statins or other meds that have proved ineffective so far.
Who is it for?
This treatment is aimed at adults with primary hypercholesterolemia (familial and non-familial) or mixed dyslipidemia.
Furthermore, since the cost of the medication is high, a prescription will only be offered to patients who haven’t been able to lower their ‘bad’ cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dl despite other treatments.
What is its effectiveness?
According to clinical trials carried out by the pharmaceutical company Novartis, after 15 months of treatment, LDL cholesterol levels had decreased by more than 50% in patients treated with Leqvio compared to those who had not received it.
“Although there is still no direct evidence that Leqvio reduces heart attacks or stroke, the reduction in LDL cholesterol is related to the reduction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The adverse effects of Leqvio are controllable, so it was decided that the benefits of Leqvio are greater than its risks," explained Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis.
Image: Freepik
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