New heart pill opens treatment option for patients in England

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-30 10:55 3 min read

Heart shape made from an assortment of medical pills on blue background.

Around 6,600 people in England with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy could access a new once-daily treatment after aficamten received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The medicine, also known by its brand name MYQORZO, is intended for adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thickened and stiff. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.

The coordinated decisions were announced on 30 July 2026. NHS England is expected to make aficamten available within 30 days of NICE publishing its final guidance.

Aficamten expands treatment choice for eligible adults

HCM affects around one in 500 people in the UK, and about half of cases are inherited, according to the MHRA announcement. Symptoms can include exhaustion, dizziness, breathlessness, chest pain and a racing or irregular heartbeat.

New heart pill opens treatment option for patients in England

Aficamten is a reversible cardiac myosin inhibitor. It binds to myosin, a protein in heart muscle cells, to reduce excessive contraction. This can help the heart pump more smoothly and reduce obstruction to blood flow.

Clinical trials cited in the announcement found that aficamten helped patients exercise more easily and reduced symptoms. NICE said the medicine is likely to be as effective as mavacamten, the other NICE-approved treatment for symptomatic obstructive HCM.

Fewer early monitoring scans may help some patients

Patients taking aficamten will still need regular checks of heart function, including echocardiograms, to help clinicians assess how well the heart is working and support safe use of the medicine.

However, aficamten may require fewer monitoring scans while the correct dose is being established than mavacamten. Cardiomyopathy UK said this could offer a more accessible treatment route and give patients greater choice.

The medicine is available as film-coated tablets in 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg strengths. It is recommended for adults with symptomatic obstructive HCM classified as New York Heart Association class 2 or 3. Doctors use this classification to describe how much a heart condition limits daily activity.

Coordinated decisions brought access forward

NICE used a cost-comparison approach for aficamten. For the medicine to receive a positive recommendation, the company had to show that its cost was similar to or lower than mavacamten for treating the relevant patient group. A confidential discount has been agreed to supply aficamten to the NHS at a reduced cost.

NICE published its final guidance two weeks faster than under its standard process. The organisations said closer working between the MHRA and NICE helped align the medicine’s licensing and value assessment decisions.

NICE said its wider transformation programme has increased the speed of guidance publication for medicines and health technology since April 2024.

NHS access and ongoing safety monitoring

NHS England will make the treatment available within 30 days of NICE’s final guidance. Eligibility and treatment decisions will be handled by the relevant clinical teams, based on the approved use and the patient’s condition.

The MHRA said it will continue to monitor aficamten’s safety and effectiveness. Anyone who thinks they are experiencing a side effect should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse and can report it through the Yellow Card scheme.

Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency News

Context & actions About this article

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The article was checked against the dated MHRA release and its stated NICE and NHS England access arrangements.

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Confirmed the 30 July 2026 publication date and the estimate of 6,600 eligible patients.
Checked the described use, tablet strengths and monitoring requirements for aficamten.
Verified the stated 30-day NHS England access timeframe.
Separated clinical trial findings from ongoing safety monitoring information.

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