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<\/a>BROADER ACCESS TO PCSK9 INHIBITORS FOR FH PATIENTS\u00a0<\/strong>\n\u00a0
\nPCSK9 inhibitor medication is now supported by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with heterozygous FH<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0who need additional help to lower their LDL-Cholesterol levels. Sold under the trade name Repatha, the medication called evolocumab will now be more accessible to patients with FH.
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What is PCSK9?<\/strong> Why would I continue taking my old cholesterol tablets if I\u2019m going to start taking a new medication?<\/strong> How do I know if I\u2019m eligible?<\/strong> If routine management is effective at lowering cholesterol levels, additional PCSK9 inhibitor therapy may not be needed. However, if circumstances change, FH patients who need extra help with managing cholesterol levels can be reassured that access to PCSK9 inhibitors is more affordable under PBS authorisation. For more information about the PBS criteria for subsidised access to the PCSK9 inhibitor drug, \u00a0Repatha, please consult with your specialist. The prescription for Repatha must be completed by a medical specialist (not including general practitioners).<\/p>\n This article does not<\/strong> cover all<\/strong> PBS criteria for Repatha and is meant for general information only. Each individual will have unique circumstances and should discuss personal details with their doctor.<\/p>\n For more information about FH, genetic testing and management, please feel free to contact the FH Registry and refer to the reliable information compiled on the FH Registry website. \u00a0 From the FH team at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital<\/p>\n \n\u00a0 Copyright \u00a9\u00a02018 FH Australasia Network. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n \nOur mailing address is: Why did you receive this email? Don’t want to receive\u00a0emails in the future? <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nPCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin\/kexin type 9) is a naturally occurring protein in humans that slows down the process of clearing LDL from the blood stream.
\nIf you\u2019ve read information about FH<\/a>, you\u2019ll already be familiar with LDL Receptors and the fact that a deficiency in LDL Receptors is the main cause of FH. This is relevant to keep in mind because PCSK9 acts directly on the LDL Receptor.
\nPCSK9 particles stick to LDL Receptors and flag the receptors to be destroyed. If an LDL Receptor escapes being tagged by PCSK9, instead of being destroyed, it will continue to collect LDL from the blood. By inhibiting PCSK9, we can increase the number of LDL receptors available to clear LDL from the blood. More functioning LDL Receptors means lower blood cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n
\nPCSK9 acts independently to the pathways targeted by the standard cholesterol lowering medications known as either \u2018statins\u2019, which block cholesterol synthesis, or ezetimibe, which inhibits cholesterol absorption . PCSK9 inhibitor therapy is recommended to be taken together with a statin, ezetimibe, or both because they work safely together. The addition of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy has been shown to reduced LDL-cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n
\nAccess to PBS support for PCSK9 inhibitors has been approved for FH patients who cannot lower blood cholesterol to certain levels with standard medications, or those who cannot tolerate standard medications. Many FH patients manage to lower LDL-cholesterol levels sufficiently with current routine management, including;<\/p>\n\n
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\nKey facts about PBS Criteria for Repatha for FH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\n\u00a0By <\/a>Catherine Spinks, David Sullivan, and Jerome Herren<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nFHWA
\nUniversity of Western Australia
\nRear 50 Murray Street
\nPERTH WA 6000<\/p>\n
\nWhen you signed up for the National FH Registry you ticked the box for information.<\/p>\n
\nYou can\u00a0unsubscribe\u00a0by emailing fhwa@health.wa.gov.au\u00a0with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
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