The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have recommended a new treatment called Vadadustat as an option for treating anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease in adults on dialysis.
The standard treatment for symptomatic anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease in adults having dialysis is iron tablets. If iron does not work well enough, erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are offered as well. This new guidance means Vadadustat could be offered instead of ESAs.
Vadadustat comes in the form of a tablet, whereas ESAs are provided intravenously as part of dialysis. It is important that people have a discussion with their doctor about which treatment would be best for them, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of both. Some people might prefer to take a tablet or might have anaemia that is resistant to ESA treatment, whereas others might find it easier to receive anaemia treatment as part of their dialysis.
Guy Hill, a member of Kidney Care UK’s Patient Advisory Group, was a patient expert for this NICE appraisal. He made sure that the committee understood the impact that anaemia can have on people with kidney disease and the importance of effective treatment.
Not everyone with CKD has anaemia, but according to a recent study, 60% of non-dialysis CKD patients and 93% of dialysis dependent patients have anaemia. Find out more about anaemia and CKD.
The guidance on Vadadustat has been sent to all groups involved in the appraisal who have 15 working days to consider whether they wish to appeal against it. Subject to any appeal by consultees, final guidance is expected to be published early in 2025.
NHS Trusts must make funding available for this treatment within 90 days of the final guidance being published, where there is a shared decision between individuals and their clinicians that this is the right treatment for them. We recommend speaking with your doctor if you would like to know more about whether the treatment might be right for you, once it becomes available.