AstraZeneca’s Chronic Heart Failure Drug Gets Nod from NICE

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom has issued its final draft guidance, recommending dapagliflozin (Forxiga) from AstraZeneca as a treatment option for adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction.

According to a May 18, 2023 company press release, this recommendation expands the current National Health Service use of dapagliflozin, which had previously been recommended by NICE for use in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction only. NICE’s decision to recommend dapagliflozin for HF regardless of ejection fraction was based on results from a Phase III clinical trial that demonstrated the ability of the drug, when combined with diuretics, to reduce the risk of patients dying from cardiovascular death or potential hospitalization with HF when compared with placebo.

“We are pleased that NICE has recommended dapagliflozin for routine use within NHS England for patients with chronic heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction,” said Tom Keith-Roach, president, AstraZeneca UK, in the press release. “Dapagliflozin now has NICE recommendations for patients with chronic heart failure regardless of ejection fraction. This represents an important step forward in this setting and reflects our ongoing commitment to eradicate unplanned hospital admissions across the full spectrum of heart failure (inclusive of reduced and preserved ejection fraction), in turn reducing potential health service burden at a time when it is needed most.”

“Until now there have been no treatments available to delay or slow the progression of this type of heart failure. The committee heard from patient and clinical experts who described how the lack of research and available treatments in this area led to a lack of hope and support that impacts the quality of life and mental health of people with the condition. And we know that chronic heart failure also places a significant burden on the NHS through hospitalisations,” said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said in a May 18, 2023 press release issued by NICE. “[This] draft guidance means that for the first time there is an effective treatment available on the NHS for people with this type of heart failure. Not only does dapagliflozin have the potential to help them live well for longer, but it could also save the NHS money and free up space by reducing their risk of having to go to hospital for unplanned emergency treatment.”

Sources: AstraZeneca, NICE