Amarin gets reimbursement approval for Vazkepa in Portugal

Amarin announces that the Portuguese Ministry of Health has approved VAZKEPA or icosapent ethyl, for national reimbursement to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adult statin-treated patients at high cardiovascular risk and elevated triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease, or diabetes and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor1. The national reimbursement will now allow Amarin to begin commercialization efforts of VAZKEPA across Portugal as of August 1…According to Statistics Portugal , the prevalence of established cardiovascular disease in the adult population between 45 and 79 years of age in Portugal is 10.7%2. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the country has resulted in more than 35,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease, constituting 29% of the total mortality in 20173. These figures demonstrate a clear need for action to reduce the immense burden of this disease on patients, their families, and the Portuguese healthcare system.