A once-daily injection has been approved for adults with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment (stage 3 chronic kidney disease) in the UK. (4) The licence extension for Victoza® is now available to almost one million people in the UK who are affected by both conditions. (1,2) Currently kidney disease accounts for 11% of the cost of managing complications of type 2 diabetes to the NHS. (3)
The decision by the European Commission (EC) provides clinicians with an effective treatment in an area where few treatments are available due to additional complications associated with chronic kidney disease. (1,5) Victoza® allows for the treatment of a growing number of people with both conditions by removing the need for dose adjustments while maintaining glucose control. (3,6)
“Renal impairment is one of the recognised long-term complications associated with diabetes and it can be serious, debilitating or even fatal if not managed effectively”, said Steve Bain, Professor of Medicine at Swansea University and Clinical Lead for the Diabetes Research Network, Wales.
He continued, “the choice of glucose-lowering therapies available to adults with both conditions is currently limited. Victoza® has shown long-term blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment. The new licence extension will not only help these adults achieve glucose control, but will provide clinicians with an additional treatment option. This is paramount to the care of adults with both conditions”.
Chronic kidney disease requires frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels and kidney function (1) and if left uncontrolled may progress to renal failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation. (4,7)
Diabetes treatment options are limited for people who also have chronic kidney disease because therapies may either require dose adjustments or are not recommended for use in these patients. (1,5)
The licence extension for Victoza® was based on efficacy and safety data from the LIRA-RENAL Phase IIIb clinical trial among adults with moderate renal impairment. Over 26 weeks, Victoza® 1.8mg showed superior HbA1c (blood glucose) reduction and significant weight reduction* with no worsening of renal function compared with placebo in adults receiving anti-diabetes tablets and/or insulin to control their type 2 diabetes. (4,6)
As a leader in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk is committed to researching, developing and making available new products and services to improve the lives of people living with diabetes.
*Victoza® is not indicated for weight management.
References:
Moderate chronic kidney disease affects up to 40% of all people with type 2 diabetes in the UK, which is approximately one million people (1,2).Type 2 diabetes costs the NHS a total of £21.8 billion in 2010/2011, with the complications of chronic kidney disease accounting for an estimated £753.8 million. These figures are predicted to rise to £35.6 billion for type 2 diabetes and £1.3 billion for kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes by 2035/36 (3).The licence extension for Victoza® (liraglutide) increases clinicians’ prescribing options to help patients with both conditions achieve glucose control.
- Bailey CJ, Day C. Diabetes therapies in renal impairment. The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease 2012;12(4):167–71.
- Diabetes UK. ‘State of the Nation’. England. 2013. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/About%20Us/What%20we%20say/0160b-state-nation-2013-england-1213.pdf. Last accessed January 2015.
- Hex N et al. Estimating the current and future costs of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the UK, including direct health costs and indirect societal and productivity costs. Diabetic Medicine 2012;29:855–62.
- Victoza® Summary of Product Characteristics v.12. Novo Nordisk 2014.
- Milne N. Improving the quality of diabetes care: An audit tool for chronic kidney disease. Diabetes & Primary Care 2014;16:78–83.
- Davies M et al. Efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus placebo as add-on to existing diabetes medication in subjects with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment (LIRA-RENAL). Poster 0965-P at 74th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). 15 June 2014.
- NHS Diabetes and Kidney Care. Diabetes with kidney disease: Key facts. March 2011. http://www.yhpho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=105786. Last accessed January 2015.
- ClinicalTrials.gov study registration: NCT01620489.
- IMS Health Information. IMS Data Disclosure May 2014. Novo Nordisk data on file.
