Monoclonal antibodies have proven their effectiveness in addition to other drugs, but they are only covered if the patient has already presented a cardiovascular event.
“Scandalous”“incomprehensible”… The adjectives used by doctors about access to treatment for hypercholesterolemia with Anhet betray their unease. This is “the other fight” of the association, alongside the implementation of early universal screening, indicates its president, Lionel Ribes.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is first treated with statins. These molecules, which have been known for a long time and which can be administered in France from the age of 8, make it possible to lower the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood stream and to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaques already present.
Avoid complications
When these treatments are not enough to achieve the desired LDL level, patients may also be prescribed a cholesterol absorption inhibitor (Ezetimibe). “In most cases, that’s enough”indicates P Catherine Boileau, head of service in the genetics department of the Bichat-Claude Bernard hospital (AP-HP).
But sometimes this combination…