MANILA, Philippines — German pharmaceutics company Bayer is launching nationwide a new innovative therapy drug Finerenone (Firialta) for the benefit of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that also have Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
T2D, along with Hypertension, is one of the most common causes of CKD where the kidneys become far too damaged and unable to filter waste from the blood.
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CKD reaches its end after 10 to 20 years, commonly known as End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), and the next points of action are to undergo dialysis or have kidney transplants (both of them costly, and the latter needing a matching donor).
In a media conference announcing the launch of Firialta yesterday, Bayer Philippines Inc.'s Managing Director Michael Evangelista noted the prevalance of two separate reports regarding Diabetes in the Philippines.
A 2021 report by the International Diabetes Federation showed there are 4.3 million Filipino adults with Diabetes, and another study estimates one in three adults deal with CKD due to T2D — meaning there are over a million Filipinos with CKD because of Diabetes.
Further information from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute shows at least one Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour, with an estimated seven million Filipinos suffering from CKD.
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Evangelista also noted the latest Philhealth report says over P17 billion went to dialysis procedures last year, covering over three million dialysis claims.
Firialta — a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist — is eyed to promote kidney and cardiovascular health for CKD patients with T2D and is meant to complement drugs that lower blood pressure and glucose levels.
"It is one step that when combined with current standard of care, can slow down the progession of CKD, lessening the burden on patients and their families who are already challenged physically, emotionall, and financially in coping with the multiple complications arising from their condition," Evangelista said.
Bayer Philippines Inc.'s Country Medical Director Dr. May Pagunsan explained that Firialta addresses inflammation and fibrosis, which are the key drivers of CKD progression into ESKD.
The drug does so by binding to the mineralocorticoid receptor to reduce its activation, this as mineralocorticoid activiation results in increased sodium retention.
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Taking Firialta will delay the need for dialysis and lowers the chances of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks, and heart failure hospitalizations, Pagunsan added.
The only obvious side effects of the drug are an increase in createnin and potassium, both of which can be checked during doctor consultation and managed with diets (less meat and fruit intake).
The country's Food and Drug Administration approved Firialta sometime in mid-2023 and it goes for P96 per tablet, with the recommended dosage of 10mg per day.
Asked by Philstar.com if Firialta could be taken by CKD patients without Diabetes, nephrologist Dr. Ronnie Perez — who oversaw Firialta studies in the Philippines — said it would be at the discretion of clinicians and doctors.
Pagunsan added that there is ongoing research on Firialta being effective on patients with Type 1 Diabetes and non-diabetics.
Perez expressed confidence that with the help of Firialta, within the next decade, there will be a drop in CKD deaths, dialysis patients would decrease by 5 to 6%, and Philhealth funds could go to other healthcare resources.
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