NHS rolls out heart drug that gives patients ‘beacon of hope’
A PIONEERING drug that targets a life-threatening heart condition has been hailed a “beacon of hope” for thousands of sufferers.
Businessman Peter Salussolia was given five years to live when he was diagnosed with transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in 2018.
But he is now stable after he began taking tafamidis, a daily pill that was found in a clinical trial to cut patients’ risk of death from the condition by 41%. From today, the treatment is approved for widespread NHS use, benefiting up to 1,500 sufferers in England.
Peter, now 80, accessed the drug early through a scheme at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North West London.The hotel and leisure group chairman said: “Since taking tafamidis, I’ve seen no deterioration in my condition. If anything, my condition is stable and slightly improved.
“It truly has been amazing.This rollout offers a great beacon of hope for
NHS patients who live with this debilitating and progressive condition.”
Common symptoms of ATTR-CM include shortness of breath, palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms, fatigue, fainting and chest pain. Until now, treatment options were limited and mainly focused on symptom management and supportive care.
Joel Rose, of Cardiomyopathy UK, said: “ATTR-CM has significant impacts on an individual’s life and we are really pleased there is now a treatment option which could help improve their care.”