HEART UK responds to Dept of Health announcement on new cholesterol drug

**Embargoed until 6pm 13 January 2020**

The cholesterol charity HEART UK responds to the Department of Health and Social Care announcement that a new cholesterol drug, inclisiran, could be made available for NHS patients through a ground-breaking collaboration. 

Jules Payne, Chief Executive of the cholesterol charity HEART UK, said: “Cholesterol is a leading cause of heart disease, so effective treatments save lives.

“While we know beyond doubt that statins are incredibly effective at treating people with high cholesterol, there is a desperate need for new and innovative drugs if we are to tackle cardiovascular disease, a condition which kills hundreds of thousands of people in this country every year.

“The potential for this breakthrough new drug is incredibly exciting but we need to ensure all those eligible for it, once fully approved, will get access to it.”

**Embargoed until 6pm 13 January 2020**

ENDS

For more information and interviews, please contact the HEART UK media team on 07736 469509 or email media@heartuk.org.uk