Sunday, February 9, 2025

NICE-Recommended Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Poised to Benefit Hundreds

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The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended levodopa–foscarbidopa (also known as Produodopa and manufactured by AbbVie) as a treatment option for advanced Parkinson’s disease. This is the first technology appraisal by NICE to focus on a Parkinson’s treatment.

Foslevodopa–foscarbidopa is administered through an infusion pump, providing continuous medication over 24 hours. The device is compact, portable, and refillable at home, offering convenience for patients and their caregivers while effectively managing symptoms.

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The treatment operates by releasing levodopa and foscarbidopa, which get converted into dopamine in the body. Dopamine is essential for transmitting messages between the brain and nerves that control movement. Combining foslevodopa with foscarbidopa enhances the availability of foslevodopa in the brain.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s, the standard treatment consists of oral levodopa and carbidopa. As the disease progresses, other medications might be added. In advanced Parkinson’s patients who respond to levodopa, non-oral treatments may be considered, including apomorphine (an injectable drug that mimics dopamine to stimulate nerve cells), deep brain stimulation via surgery, or levodopa–carbidopa intestinal gel.

AbbVie proposed foslevodopa–foscarbidopa as an option for advanced Parkinson’s patients who cannot receive apomorphine or deep brain stimulation surgery, or when these treatments no longer adequately control symptoms. It was considered an alternative to standard oral treatment and levodopa–carbidopa intestinal gel.

The recommendation from NICE reflects the growing importance of foslevodopa–foscarbidopa in providing advanced Parkinson’s patients with a reliable and effective way to manage their symptoms. NICE worked closely with the manufacturer to address initial concerns and ensure the best patient care while maintaining value for the taxpayer.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and the body functions controlled by nerves. With the NICE recommendation, foslevodopa–foscarbidopa represents an important addition to the treatment options available to patients with advanced Parkinson’s, offering greater flexibility in managing their condition. The use of infusion pumps enhances the ease and reliability of treatment, potentially improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease. The recommendation is a positive step forward in addressing the evolving needs of Parkinson’s patients. NICE is dedicated to facilitating access to effective treatments that can benefit patients in a timely and cost-effective manner.


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