NICE approves first treatment for obstructive HCM for NHS use
Betsy Goodfellow | June 2, 2023 | News story | Medical Communications | Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cardiology, NHS, NICE, obstructive HCM
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that it has approved mavacamten (Camzyos) for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) for use on the NHS.
The drug, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is intended to be used as an addition to standard of care treatment for obstructive HCM, potentially avoiding or postponing a patient’s need for invasive surgery.
Obstructive HCM is a chronic disease with more than 50% of cases being caused by an inherited genetic mutation, characterised by excessive heart muscle contractions causing it to thicken and stiffen. This means the heart may not be able to pump enough blood around the body.
Symptoms often include tiredness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitations.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, commented: “Today’s draft guidance is another example of our commitment to drive early access to innovative new treatments – in this case a treatment which is yet to be licensed for use in the UK. […] Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease for which, until now, there has been no specific treatment that targets its underlying cause. It has a very high and wide-ranging impact on quality of life and because it can develop at any age, occur[ing even] in younger people who may formerly have had very active lifestyles. […] The treatments currently used to try to manage symptoms are associated with side effects and are often ineffective. We’re therefore pleased to be able to recommend a treatment that has the potential to alter the course of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and offer greater hope to people with it.”
Betsy Goodfellow
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