About 1,500 people in England with ATTR-CM could now be eligible for the treatment.
This rare heart condition typically starts to show in adulthood and gets worse over time as the heart tissue thickens and stiffens.
Its symptoms include:
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shortness of breath
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palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms
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ankle swelling, fatigue, fainting and chest pain
Ultimately, it can cause heart failure.
Prof Simon Ray, national clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, said: ”A first of its kind, tafamidis will give those living with this rare progressive condition new hope.
“This pioneering drug is just one example of the NHS delivering on its commitment to ensure patients across the country have access to the latest and most effective treatments to help significantly improve their quality of life.”
The list price for a packet of 30 capsules of the drug is about £10,000, but Pfizer has a commercial agreement for NHS use which will be less, although the cost has not been made public.
