New drug trialled at Coventry hospital set to change lives - The Coventry Observer

New drug trialled at Coventry hospital set to change lives

Coventry Editorial 1st Nov, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A PIONEERING drug trialled and tested at Coventry’s University Hospital is set to change the lives of patients after NHS approval.

Some who took part in the trial say it is lifechanging and eases symptoms of Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

The drug – Jinarc (tolvaptan) – has been made available on the NHS this week and is the first treatment shown to slow progression of the life-threatening condition.

ADPKD is an inherited condition that causes small, fluid-filled sacs called cysts to develop in the kidneys.




The condition can cause a wide range of problems including abdominal pain, high blood pressure and kidney stones.

Though children are born with the condition, it is not often noticeable until someone reaches 30 years old.


For many people, kidney failure at a young age can be daunting prospect.

Tess Harris, chief executive of the PKD charity raising awareness and funds to help combat the condition, explained how the new drug will – in the long run – save thousands of pounds and provide a better quality of life for those diagnosed.

Ms Harris told The Observer: “This is the first ever drug in the world to treat this condition.”

She said funding someone on a dialysis machine each year costs the NHS £40,000.

Not only will the new drug save money, it will also mean transplants are offered to patients who most need it – to those whose condition is so advanced they are not eligible for the drug.

Ms Harris added: “The majority of my family is affected by the condition – my father passed away when he was 57 whilst myself, my brother, sister, niece and nephew are all affected also.

“A new quality of life will be discovered for those eligible to take the drug.”

Kieran McGovern – now in his 30s – is just one of the 64,000 people affected by the condition in the UK.

After trialling the drug for the past eight years, Kieran revealed that taking tolvaptan has provided him with huge psychological boosts, and he feels as though he can lead a normal life.

Kieran added: “I knew that my dad had ADPKD so when I was 21 I decided to go and get checked up to see if I also had the condition.

“The result displayed that I did and it massively affected me – there were various complications that I had to adapt to, such as my diet where I was restricted on various protein and dairy items.

“At the time I was living over in Ireland, where my blood pressure was continuously high.

“However since being on the drug I have discovered that it gives you a perk.”

Judith Dignum, chair of trustees at the PKD charity, said: “Up until now if you have been diagnosed with ADPKD you would’ve had no treatment – you’d just have to wait and worry about yourself and your children.

“This drug will help make a massive difference by delaying the progression of the disease. It will allow for extra healthy years.”

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