LONDON: The United Kingdom has approved a new once-daily medication, Aficamten (MYQORZO), for patients suffering from Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition. The approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will benefit approximately 6,600 patients across England.
The medication works by reducing excessive contraction of the heart muscle, improving blood flow and heart function. Clinical trials have shown that Aficamten significantly reduces symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat while improving patients' exercise capacity.
Experts say the drug offers effectiveness comparable to the existing treatment Mavacamten, with the added advantage that patients may require fewer echocardiogram scans during treatment. NHS England expects the medication to become available within 30 days of the final guidance.
