Roche receives NHS Funding for Hemlibra

Hemlibra (emicizumab) is now available to people in England living with haemophilia A due to NHS funding.
The drug is proving to be a big performer for Roche on a global level, achieving $538m of sales in the first half of 2019.
Compared to standard therapy, Hemlibra can claim superior reduction in bleeds compared to standard therapy, and is estimated to be available to about a third of all patients in the UK that are registered with haemophilia A.
Clinical trails carried out by Roche shows a significant number of patients with haemophilia A (with and without inhibitors) achieved zero treated bleeds, with the figures increased from 7.08% to 88.6% in weeks 73 – 96 of the trial.
“Hemlibra has shown effective control of bleeds within the trails undertaken.” Said Richard Eaton, Rare Conditions Lead at Roche Products UK. “We’re delighted that NHS England will reimburse Hemlibra in patients with Haemophilia A.”
Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS commented on the funding “The key part to the NHS Long Term Plan is to save thousands more lives. Giving patients access to world class therapies and drugs like Hemlibra allows us to achieve this aim. Hemlibra has the potential to improve the lives of those with haemophilia, reduce their treatment time and end the dangerous bleeds that can lead to life changing damage.”