NHS England will reimburse Hemlibra for prevention of bleeding episodes in hemophilia A patients who have factor VIII inhibitors

NHS England has approved the reimbursement of Hemlibra (emicizumab) from Roche for the prevention of bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia A who have factor VIII inhibitors.

“NHS England’s decision is a great step forward for people with hemophilia A,” said Liz Carroll from The Haemophilia Society, adding: “The development of inhibitors is a very serious and challenging complication of hemophilia treatment and there has been an urgent need for new options. This news means people with hemophilia A who have inhibitors will now have access on the NHS to a new treatment that could improve their quality of life."

The drug received marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency for use in the UK in February 2018. On July 7, NHS England announced its decision to reimburse Hemlibra; the date that patients will be able to access this new treatment is expected to be announced shortly. Medicines for hemophilia do not require approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and are instead directly commissioned by NHS England.