October 8, 2018
Fresenius Medical Care supports access to hemodiafiltration for UK dialysis patients
Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, supports the recommendation by the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to facilitate population healthcare management for UK patients with end-stage renal disease. In a guideline on renal replacement therapy published on October 3, 2018, NICE, a non-departmental public body of the UK’s Department of Health, advises health and social care professionals to consider hemodiafiltration (HDF) rather than high-flux hemodialysis (HD) if the patient is treated in-center, due to the positive impact on patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
High-flux HD is the application of high-flux dialyzers to remove a broad spectrum of small and large uremic toxins in order to contribute towards better management of dialysis patients. HDF adds a convective component to the high-flux HD treatment, making it even more effective in removing larger toxins and further improving patient outcomes.
In order to provide evidence-based guidance, NICE systematically reviewed best available renal replacement therapy studies and conducted an economic evaluation. The assessment identified clear benefits of HDF treatment for both renal disease patients and the national healthcare system, as HDF is not only considered cost-effective but is also expected to decrease mortality rates among patients.
Fresenius Medical Care has a long-standing commitment to make HDF available to patients to achieve the best possible outcomes. The company has developed innovative technologies which automatically maximize substitution rates in HDF and support the application of HighVolumeHDF®. This makes HDF treatments as simple as HD, and allows HDF treatments to be delivered at the same cost as HD in the UK.
Dr. Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess, Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius Medical Care for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “The NICE guidelines incorporate the existing evidence base for the benefits of HDF therapy. We are convinced that our HighVolumeHDF® therapy platform provides the easiest way for the user to deliver HDF to patients. Our commitment to make HighVolumeHDF® available to all patients across the UK remains a top priority for us.”
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.