Norgine, a leading independent European specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced that Targaxan 550 (rifaximin-a 550mg), an innovative treatment for hepatic encephalopathy (HE), will be available to patients in England and Wales following its approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious and potentially life-threatening neuropsychiatric condition associated with advanced liver disease that affects around 10,000 patients in the UK. Norgine markets this innovative treatment which is licensed for the reduction in recurrence of episodes of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients of 18 years of age and over.

Peter Martin, chief operating officer, Norgine said: “Norgine is very pleased that the true value of Targaxan 550 has been recognised. It is a reflection of the value this medicine brings to patients, carers and the healthcare system, as demonstrated in the real world data that was submitted. It is critical to have additional treatment options for hepatic encephalopathy as liver disease is increasing and there is currently no cure for HE apart from liver transplantation.”

Richard Hall, co-founder, Liver4Life, said: “As someone with personal experience of caring for a close relative with this devastating condition, I am delighted with NICE’s decision to approve this vitally important treatment. Treatment options are extremely limited for patients with HE with no other new options being made available since lactulose was launched in 1969.Clinicians are now able to offer a treatment that actually makes a tremendous difference to the quality of life for patients and their families.”

Andrew Langford, chief executive, British Liver Trust, said: “In my opinion, rifaximin offers an invaluable treatment for people with HE and significantly improves both their and their carers’ quality of life. As a charity that works with many people affected by HE, the British Liver Trust is very pleased with NICE’s decision.”

Norgine currently holds marketing rights for Xifaxan 550mg (known as Targaxan 550 in the UK and some other markets) in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom and Switzerland. The product is reimbursed in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland and Sweden.

Hepatic encephalopathy is the term used to describe a complex and variable neuropsychiatric condition of patients with acute or chronic liver disease, more commonly associated with advanced cirrhosis. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy may experience symptoms ranging from subtle, clinically indiscernible neurological abnormalities, to severe neurological impairment.

Xifaxan/Targaxan 550mg is indicated for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients =18 years of age. Targaxan/Xifaxan 550mg is a broad spectrum antibiotic that targets commensal gut bacteria, acting on Gram-negative and Gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes, reducing the excess ammonia produced by the gut bacteria of patients with cirrhosis.

Product under licence from Alfa Wassermann S.p.A. Xifaxan and Targaxan are registered trademarks of the Alfa Wassermann group of companies, licensed to the Norgine group of companies.

Norgine is a leading independent European specialty pharmaceutical company that has been established for over 100 years and has a presence in all major European markets. Norgine’s.