Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ: AMRN) says UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) did a good thing when it decided to support icosapent ethyl. This product in the markets goes by the brand name VAZKEPA®. The recommendation takes forms. Reimbursement is the first and the other involves use in Wales and England. The product targeting cardiovascular (CV) events will also be helpful to persons struggling with elevated triglycerides.
Karim speaks out
The company’s chief executive officer Karim Mikhail applauds the latest recommendation and describes it as a crucial step towards the execution of their European growth strategy. Karim observes that the UK has long been the benchmark when it comes to discussions around Health Technology Assessments. He firmly believes that the move they are on the right track considering the historicity of the UK.
Karim’s optimism remains unmatched, and he projects the company will succeed in unlocking a multi-billion-dollar revenue opportunity beyond the US borders. Cardiovascular disease is a severe and debilitating condition that climbs its way into the list of conditions resulting in many deaths across the UK. Statistics point to a high number struggling with the disease in England. The estimates place the figure at around six million.
Hope for patients
Handling such a significant fraction of the population isn’t easy, and it has already cost NHS almost £7.4 billion each year3,4. Nevertheless, experts think highly about VAZKEPA. Most of them regard it as a crucial scientific innovation that can bring down cardiovascular risk in eligible persons across Wales and England.
The REDUCE-IT® cardiovascular outcome study is an eye-opener. For instance, it produced critical clinical data indicating the product’s suitability for helping patients struggling with the condition.
NICE’s Health Technology Appraisal (HTA) process consists of a Final Appraisal Document (FAD). The document forms part of the blueprint that guides the formulation of recommendations on the cost and clinical effectiveness of treatments and medications in England. The NHS must do things right, and one of the ways is the fair and cost-effective utilization of resources.
The president of Amarin Europe, Laurent Abuaf, is pleased with the positive recommendation. He describes it as the outcome of productive and constructive scientific discussions involving many stakeholders.
