Bone strengthening drug for post-menopausal women won't be offered on IoM

New drug is being made available in UK

A new bone strengthening drug for post-menopausal women to protect against osteoporosis will not be offered on the Isle of Man. 

It is being made available on the NHS for women in the UK within three months.

Abaloparatide has been approved for use by medical watchdog NICE and is described as a very well tolerated treatment.

However Manx Care has told Manx Radio that a legal obligation for the NHS in the UK to ensure a recommended drug is made available here does not extend to the Island which has its own legal framework.

Manx Care says Abaloparatide is not currently commissioned or funded in the Isle of Man and therefore it is not a drug it can currently provide for patients.

The health body points out that NICE guidance places the drug in the same pathway as Teriparatide, which Manx Care funds, and Romosozumab, and indicates that after discussion with the patient the least expensive suitable treatment should be used.

However if the cost of Abaloparatide is less than Teriparatide it might become an option here.

Manx Care stresses that the new drug would not be beneficial for all women who've gone through the menopause to protect against osteoporosis.