NHS watchdog approves 'world's most expensive drug' that costs £2.6million a dose... and it will SAVE the health service money, say experts

NHS watchdog approves 'world's most expensive drug' that costs £2.6million a dose..

. and it will SAVE the health service money, say experts READ MORE: Nestle targets 'Ozempic face' by selling skin-boosting supplements By John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 09:36 EDT, 27 June 2024 | Updated: 09:53 EDT, 27 June 2024 e-mail 2 View comments A gene therapy once billed as the 'world's most expensive drug' will be offered for free on the NHS , but experts insist it will save the health service money. Called Hemgenix the drug costs £2.



6million per patient, although only one dose is needed. It is the only treatment of its kind for haemophilia B, a bleeding disorder where the body doesn't make enough, or any, of a protein critical to clotting. Clotting is a vital biological mechanism that stops wounds from bleeding meaning people with the disorder can suffer severe and even life-threatening blood loss if they suffer an injury.

Additionally, they also run the risk of what are called 'spontaneous bleeds' that occur without a direct injury and are potentially deadly if they occur in a vital organ. Called Hemgenix the drug costs £2.6million per patient, but experts insist it could save the NHS money in the long term Hemgenix the patient's defective gene, which is incapable of producing the clotting, is replaced with one that can, eliminating the need for frequent injections Haemophilia B patients have to take frequent injections of an artificial clotting agent called.