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Tens of thousands of women who have gone through the menopause might benefit from a new bone-strengthening drug, says the medicines watchdog National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). <\/p>\n
Abaloparatide can protect against the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis, which causes a high risk of broken bones in older age. <\/p>\n
It will become available on the NHS in England within the next three months, says NICE. <\/p>\n
The injection, which comes as a pre-filled pen that people can self-administer at home once a day, encourages cells to make new bone. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Other osteoporosis treatments are already available, but this new one is an alternative for people who have not responded to, or who cannot tolerate, those. <\/p>\n
People will be offered drug treatment if doctors think they are at a high enough risk of breaking a bone. <\/p>\n
Theramex, which makes the medication, has agreed an undisclosed price with the NHS. <\/p>\n
By the time people are in their mid-20s, bone strength will have peaked.<\/p>\n
From then, it naturally declines. <\/p>\n
If bone loss is severe though, they can easily fracture even after a minor bump or fall.<\/p>\n
Getting enough vitamin D and calcium is also important for bone health. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the time of menopause can help too. <\/p>\n
Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men because of hormone changes that happen with the menopause.<\/p>\n
Oestrogen levels drop, which can weaken the bones.<\/p>\n
Prof Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive at NICE, said: “The independent committee heard from patients about how debilitating osteoporosis can be.<\/p>\n
“Our focus is on enabling access to care that improves quality of life while offering value to the taxpayer.”<\/p>\n
More than three million people have osteoporosis in the UK. <\/p>\n
The prevalence increases markedly with age – about 2% of women aged 50 have it compared with almost half of women who are 80, says NICE.<\/a><\/p>\n More than one in three women and one in five men will sustain one or more osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n