Global disparities in access to lipid-lowering therapies for patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia – A physician survey

BACKGROUND: Lipid levels and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) outcomes have been shown to differ globally in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), which may be related to availability and accessibility of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we investigated global disparities in availability and accessibility of LLTs for patients with HoFH. METHODS: Physicians participating in the HoFH International Clinical Collaborators (HICC, NCT04815005) were invited to complete an online survey on registration status, reimbursement, and access to various LLTs. Responses were compared between high-income and nonhigh-income countries. RESULTS: Responses were received from 87 physicians (64.4% from high-income countries). Physicians from high-income countries reported significantly higher registration rates for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9 mAbs) (96.4% vs 51.6%), lomitapide (83.6% vs 9.7%), evinacumab (69.1% vs 0.0%), colesevelam (50.0% vs 3.2%), and lipoprotein-apheresis (96.4% vs 45.2%). Public sector reimbursement was also more common in high-income countries for PCSK9 mAbs (90.9% vs 24.1%), lomitapide (74.5% vs 3.4%), evinacumab (60.0% vs 0.0%), colesevelam (40.0% vs 3.4%), and lipoprotein-apheresis (94.5% vs 37.9%). Access to LLTs was also higher in high-income countries for statins (91.1% vs 61.3%), ezetimibe (87.5% vs 38.7%), PCSK9 mAbs (53.6% vs 6.5%), lomitapide (32.% vs 0.0%), evinacumab (32.1% vs 3.2%), colesevelam (39.3% vs 3.2%), and lipoprotein-apheresis (57.1% vs 3.2%). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm significant global disparities in LLT registration, reimbursement, and access between high-income and nonhigh-income countries. Improving LLT availability and accessibility, particularly in nonhigh-income countries, is essential to improve outcomes in patients with HoFH.