NHS England approves haemophilia drug funding

NHS England has approved the reimbursement of Hemlibra (emicizumab) for people with severe haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors.1 The decision follows NHS England’s decision to routinely fund the product for all haemophilia A patients with factor VIII inhibitors in July 2018.

The drug is the only treatment option that can be self-administered by injection under the skin at multiple dosing options (once weekly, every two weeks, or every four weeks).

Haemophilia A is an inherited, serious bleeding disorder, affecting mainly men, in which a person’s blood does not clot properly, in severe cases leading to uncontrolled and often spontaneous bleeding. People with haemophilia A either lack or do not have enough of a clotting protein called factor VIII. There is currently no cure for haemophilia A and some people can develop inhibitors to factor VIII replacement therapy. Hemlibra provides a new treatment option for patients with severe haemophilia A.

Aston spoke to Clive Smith, chairman at the haemophilia society to discuss the drug funding, he also explained what haemophilia is, who it effects and possible treatments.