Australians living with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can now access a new treatment option, following the announcement that AstraZeneca’s FORXIGA® (dapagliflozin) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 March 2024.
This PBS reimbursement of FORXIGA® is for the treatment of chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of more than 40%1.
This PBS listing is an opportunity to access another treatment option for people living with chronic heart failure.
- Heart failure is a condition where the heart isn’t pumping blood to the rest of your body as well as it should. If the heart is damaged or not pumping properly, it can become enlarged, weak or stiff.2
- There are approximately 511,000 Australians with heart failure, with 67,000 new cases per year.3
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all patients with heart failure and is a rapidly growing problem due to an ageing population as well as increased incidence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.4
- Heart failure accounts for 158,000 hospital admissions per year, and 1.1 million days of hospital stay3
- There are 61,000 heart failure related deaths/year.3
Ben McDonald, Country President of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, which has delivered innovative medicines for chronic diseases to Australian patients for more than 60 years, said:
“It’s great that Australians living with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can now access FORXIGA® on the PBS.
“Thousands of Australians may now benefit from reimbursed access to FORXIGA®.
“AstraZeneca is proud of this PBS listing and will continue to invest in cardiovascular disease research and innovation in Australia.” Mr McDonald said.
Adelaide cardiologist Dr Alicia Chan, who specialises in heart failure, said:
“My aim as a cardiologist is to work closely with my patients living with heart failure to manage their condition, which can help them stay out of hospital and reduce the risk of cardiovascular death.
“The listing of FORXIGA® for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction provides access to another option in the treatment of a serious chronic condition.” Dr Chan said.
Tanya Hall, CEO and Founder of hearts4heart, says its important heart failure is managed so people can live life to the fullest:
“Early diagnosis and proper treatment are key to enable people with heart failure to live a full and active life.
“As an organisation supporting people living with heart failure, we see the importance of new treatment options listed on the PBS and welcome this announcement from the Australian Government.”
ABOUT FORXIGA®
FORXIGA is a member of a class of medicines taken by mouth called SGLT-2 (Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2) inhibitors. FORXIGA is used with diet, exercise and sometimes other medicines (which may include metformin; insulin; a sulfonylurea medicine such as gliclazide, glimepiride and glibenclamide; or a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor [DPP 4 inhibitor] such as sitagliptin or saxagliptin or a glucagon like peptide 1 [GLP-1] receptor agonist such as exenatide) to control the levels of blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It can also reduce hospitalisation for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes. FORXIGA is also used with other medicines to treat heart failure and to slow the progression of kidney disease in adults.
Precautions: Patients should inform their doctor if they: have allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; have or have had type 1 diabetes mellitus, kidney liver or pancreas problems, frequently get genital or urinary tract infections, illnesses that make you dehydrated or diabetic ketoacidosis; take medicines for high blood pressure or take a water pill; take any other medicines; are lactose intolerant. Patients should inform their doctor if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Interactions: Patient should inform their doctor if they are taking any other medicines,
including any medicines, vitamins or supplements without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Patient should inform their doctor or pharmacist if they are taking lithium because FORXIGA can lower the amount of lithium in your blood.
Side Effects: Less serious side effects include: irritation of the genitals caused by
genital infection; back pain; headache. Serious side effects include: allergic reaction; hypoglycaemia; dehydration; genital or urinary tract infections.
More information can be found in the FORXIGA® Consumer Medicine Information here:
Patients should discuss their treatment options with their clinician.
| PBS Information: FORXIGA®: Authority Required (STREAMLINED): Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease. Refer to PBS Schedule for full Authority Required Information. |
- ENDS-
Dr Chan has been involved in medical education and speaker activities sponsored by AstraZeneca for which compensation was received. In relation to this AstraZeneca media announcement, no compensation was provided to Dr Chan, and the opinions expressed are her own. Dr Chan has been briefed by AstraZeneca on the approved use of this product.
Media Contacts
AstraZeneca Australia
FORXIGA® is a trademark of by AstraZeneca. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au
For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com or email Medical Information enquiries to medinfo.australia@astrazeneca.com
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com.au
References
- Forxiga Product Information. Available at www.astrazeneca.com.au/PI
- https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Bundles/Your-heart/heart-failure accessed 05.02.24
- Chen L et al. Snapshot of heart failure in Australia, Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research (ACU) Melbourne Australia, 2017, pp1-39.
- https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/july/heart-failure-with-preserved-ejection-fraction accessed 05.02.24
AstraZeneca Pty. Ltd. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au
For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com