Evolocumab for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, June 2021
Page last updated: 5 November 2021
Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
June 2021
Abstract
Purpose
To compare the predicted and actual utilisation of evolocumab for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) in the first 24 months of PBS listing. Evolocumab was PBS listed for this indication on 1 November 2018.
Date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Evolocumab was first listed on the PBS on 1 December 2016.
Data Source / methodology
The analyses used data from the PBS supplied prescriptions and authority approvals databases, extracted from 1 December 2016 to 31 March 2021.
Key Findings
- The actual number of patients treated with evolocumab for familial hypercholesterolaemia in the first two years of listing was lower than expected.
- In 2020, 2,693 patients were supplied at least one prescription for familial hypercholesterolaemia and, of these, 923 patients were supplied their first PBS-subsidised evolocumab prescription for this indication.
- The total number of prescriptions supplied for evolocumab for familial hypercholesterolaemia was lower than predicted.
- Evolocumab is often supplied as a dose of 280 mg or 420 mg as quantities of 2 or 3, 140 mg/mL pen devices. In 2020, the majority of evolocumab prescriptions supplied for familial hypercholesterolaemia were for the 140 mg/mL pen device (17,181 prescriptions; 88%) with a total quantity of 43,675 services; 95%.
