The Ministry for Health has started providing a new treatment, through the medicine Emicizumab, to people with Haemophilia A.
Patients with this rare blood condition have a deficiency of Factor VIII, which is necessary for normal blood clotting. Emicizumab facilitates the clotting process without requiring frequent hospital visits for treatment, making it more convenient for patients than other treatments.
Following the first patients starting treatment at Mater Dei Hospital in recent days, the service will continue to expand gradually over the coming months, with the aim of eventually enabling such patients to self-administer such treatment in the comfort of their own homes. This is expected to significantly improve their quality of life.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg said that the Government is continuing its work to increase access to medicines in Malta and Gozo. “We are continuing to explore how we can expand our services in the field of medicines and ensure that patients have access to innovative treatments that can make a tangible difference in their lives. The introduction of Emicizumab further complements the medicines and treatments we already provide to patients and will considerably improve the quality of life and overall experience of people who require this treatment,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Clarence Pace explained that unlike traditional treatments, which require frequent infusions, Emicizumab provides the same treatment through injections administered far less frequently. “Whereas pharmaceutical treatment for this condition previously required medicines to be administered through an intravenous infusion, this medicine can now be administered as an injection under the skin, far less frequently, and eventually patients will be able to take it in the comfort of their own homes. This means fewer trips to hospital and fewer difficulties for patients,” said Dr Pace.
This measure further strengthens the Government’s ongoing commitment to investing in new therapies that improve clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life, while reducing the burden on them and their families. By providing treatments that can also be administered at home and less frequently, patients are given greater independence and flexibility in their daily lives.
