Biotech giant Amgen just dropped some impressive numbers at the American Diabetes Association’s 86th Scientific Sessions, and they’re a big deal for people living with high-risk diabetes.
New Data on Repatha and Cardiovascular Risk
Amgen’s Repatha, a medication used to lower cholesterol, has been shown to reduce the risk of first major cardiovascular events by a whopping 29% in people with high-risk diabetes. This is according to new data from the VESALIUS-CV subgroup, which analyzed real-world patient outcomes.
For context, cardiovascular disease is a major concern for people with diabetes, who are already at a higher risk of heart disease due to factors like high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Repatha, which targets PCSK9, has been shown to be effective in lowering bad cholesterol, but these new results suggest it may also have a significant impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
Treatment Gaps in Obesity and Diabetes Care
Amgen also presented new real-world data highlighting the gap between current treatment guidelines and actual practice in the management of obesity and diabetes. The study found that while many patients with obesity and diabetes are prescribed medications to manage their conditions, a significant number of patients are not receiving optimal care.
For example, the study found that only about half of patients with high-risk diabetes were taking statins, despite guidelines recommending their use to reduce cardiovascular risk. And while Repatha has been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular risk, only about a quarter of patients in the study were taking the medication.
What This Means
These new results are a reminder that there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of getting the right treatments to the right people. For patients with high-risk diabetes, medications like Repatha may offer a crucial protection against cardiovascular disease, but many are not receiving this protection due to treatment gaps and disparities in care. As we move forward, it’s essential that clinicians, policymakers, and patients work together to address these gaps and ensure that everyone has access to the treatments they need to manage their conditions effectively.
