The potent cholesterol-busting drug inclisiran is now subsidised for adults with hypercholesterolaemia who fail to respond to or tolerate statins and ezetimibe.

Inclisiran (Leqvio) — a small interfering RNA therapy — was added to the PBS on Monday as a third-line alternative to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolaemia and familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia.

The long-acting drug is delivered via subcutaneous injection every six months, except for the first two doses, which are delivered three months apart.

GP academic Associate Professor Ralph Audehm told AusDoc that the ‘set-and-forget’ regimen would benefit patients with treatment inertia and adherence problems.