A new drug called Abaloparatide may benefit tens of thousands of women who have gone through the menopause by protecting them against the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis. This condition causes a high risk of broken bones in older age. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has stated that Abaloparatide will become available on the NHS in England within the next three months. The injection comes as a pre-filled pen that people can use to self-administer the drug at home once a day. It encourages cells to make new bone, and it is a well-tolerated treatment option for most people, according to Dr Nicky Peel, a clinical trustee at the Royal Osteoporosis Society and metabolic bone physician.
While several osteoporosis treatments exist, this new drug is an alternative option for people who cannot tolerate or have not responded to existing treatments. Speaking on the Today programme on BBC R4, Alison Smith, who was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2011, noted that the drug would make a big difference to many patients who are “reluctant” to take medication currently available due to side effects. However, Dr Peel did warn that the “challenge” is to ensure patients have access to “appropriate diagnostic services” to identify if this drug is needed.
Abaloparatide has been designed as a bone-strengthening treatment alternative that can protect against osteoporosis. People will be offered medication treatment if doctors determine that they are at high enough risk of breaking a bone. Theramex, which produces the medication, has agreed on an undisclosed price with the NHS. It is important to note that getting enough vitamin D and calcium is also crucial when it comes to bone health. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the time of menopause can also help to decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis in women who are more at risk of the condition due to hormone changes during menopause.
There are more than three million people in the UK with osteoporosis, and very few people are aware that they have the condition until they have a fracture. As age increases, so does the prevalence of the condition. Around 2% of women aged 50 have osteoporosis, but nearly half of women aged 80 develop the condition. According to Prof Jonathan Benger, the chief medical officer and deputy chief executive at NICE, the focus is enabling access to care that improves the quality of life while also offering value to the taxpayer
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