New drug for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with type 2 diabetes
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved a new drug for chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. The medication is called finerenone (also known as Kerendia).
NICE has concluded that finerenone improves kidney function and can help to slow the decline in kidney function. This is positive news and it’s important GPs and people with CKD linked to type 2 diabetes are aware that there are treatments available. Other potential treatments are medicines called sodium glucose transport inhibitors (SGLT2) such as dapagliflozin or canagliflozin.
Finerenone is recommended as an option for treating stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (with albuminuria) associated with type 2 diabetes in adults. It is recommended only if it is an add-on to standard care (see NICE guidelines, Finerenone for treating chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes, for details).
Kidney Care UK were involved in the NICE appraisal of this medication to make sure decision-makers understood the views and experiences of people with kidney disease who may be offered this treatment. We highlighted the significant burden of kidney disease and the importance of accessing treatments that can slow progression as soon as possible.
We welcome the announcement that NICE have now approved another new treatment for kidney disease in people with diabetes.
New hyperkalaemia treatment for people with CKD in Scotland
In Scotland, a medicine for high potassium called patiromer has now been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in adults with chronic kidney disease stage 3b to 5 and/or heart failure.
It is really positive to see effective new treatments emerging that can potentially delay the progress of kidney disease and treat some of the associated conditions. Kidney Care UK will be working hard to make sure people with kidney disease, GPs and others who may prescribe the treatments are aware of the new guidance so that everyone who may benefit an access the medications as soon as possible.
New guidance to improve care for people with AKI (Acute Kidney Injury)
In further work with NICE, Kidney Care UK represented patient and lay views on some new guidance to improve standards of care for people with acute kidney injury.
These quality standards are set up and used to set out priority areas for improvement in health, public health and social care. Each standard includes:
- a set of statements to help improve quality
- information on how to measure progress.
For AKI, this starts with raising awareness with people at risk (people living with CKD, diabetes, heart failure, dementia, a learning disability or a previous episode of AKI). These standards also apply to AKI in children and babies.
