20 December 2021, Sydney: AstraZeneca is pleased to welcome the reimbursement of Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia from 1 January 2022 for the treatment of symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in adults, as an adjunct to the standard of care therapy.1
This reimbursement marks a shift in the management of heart failure and broadens treatment options for thousands of Australians with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).1,2
The Heart Foundation, the peak body dedicated to helping Australians affected by heart disease, welcomed the availability of new treatment options in the care of people living with heart failure.
"Heart failure is a leading cause of death and one of the top reasons older Australians are hospitalised, with one in five people with heart failure returning to hospital within one month of their last admission.5The goal of treatment for people living with heart failure is to manage their symptoms so they can stay out of hospital," said Heart Foundation Group interim CEO and Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Garry Jennings AO.
Heart failure is a life-threatening chronic disease. In cases of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the heart muscle has weakened and does not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.6
According to Tanya Hall, CEO of Hearts4Heart – a not-for-profit organisation that supports, educates and advocates for Australians and New Zealanders with heart disease – heart failure continues to be a burden on the Australian community.
"Heart failure is complex, and people diagnosed with the condition often feel out of breath, find it difficult to breathe when laying down, experience palpitations and overall fatigue, which significantly impacts their quality of life.7 It is also common for patients to live with symptoms despite being on treatment for heart failure. There is a concerning imbalance, with some populations including Indigenous Australians, people living in remote areas and low socioeconomic areas, more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure.8 It is essential that patients have access to innovative medicines and close the divide across populations to help patients," said Ms Hall.
Associate Professor John Amerena – a Professor of Cardiology at Barwon Health in Victoria – says the reimbursement of an additional treatment option may help to encourage the better management of the condition in patients.
"Doctors are familiar with this medicine due to its use in management of type 2 diabetes and most recently in chronic kidney disease. We know heart failure, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes are often interrelated, which is why it is so important to have this treatment available for the management of heart failure. It is pleasing to see that suitable patients will now have access to additional treatment options to improve their symptoms and outcomes," said Associate Professor Amerena.
Dr Anita Sharma – Brisbane-based general practitioner and member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Education Committee – said GPs now have the opportunity to take a leading role in heart failure management.
"It is important for Australians not to ignore symptoms of heart failure, like shortness of breath, weight gain or fatigue. You need to talk to your GP as they are ideally placed to diagnose, initiate, holistically manage and administer therapies in the context of patient's overall health status. To have a reimbursed option that can be administered by a GP may help patients manage their condition, especially for those who cannot easily access specialist services," said Dr Sharma.
Liz Chatwin – Country President at AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand – says the reimbursement of Forxiga reflects the need to improve the lives of Australians living with heart failure.
"For more than 64 years, AstraZeneca has been committed to improving the lives of Australians living with chronic conditions like heart failure. The reimbursement of Forxiga for eligible patients means people living with heart failure have an additional option for treatment that can be managed in the cardiology or general practice setting, which may be more accessible. We hope this leads to better patient outcomes for those affected by the condition," said Ms Chatwin.
Forxiga contains the active ingredient dapagliflozin.1,2 All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Side effects and precautions of Forxiga include2:
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar),
- genital infections as suggested by irritation of the genitals,
- urinary tract infections (UTI),
- back pain,
- changes in the amount of cholesterol or fats in your blood,
- headache,
- loss of needed fluids from the body; dehydration,
- diabetic ketoacidosis (This is a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes, in which substances called ketone bodies build up in the blood).
