{"id":160587,"date":"2026-02-05T08:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T08:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/?p=160587"},"modified":"2026-02-05T08:30:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T08:30:37","slug":"more-people-with-igan-to-access-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidneyresearchuk.org\/2026\/02\/05\/more-people-with-igan-to-access-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"More people with IgAN to access treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\n\t

Kidney Research UK has welcomed a decision\u00a0that will enable more people living with\u00a0primary IgA nephropathy<\/a> (IgAN)\u00a0to access a\u00a0targeted\u00a0treatment on the NHS in England.\u00a0<\/p>\n

IgAN\u00a0is a common\u202fchronic kidney disease\u00a0mainly affecting\u00a0young adults.\u00a0It is caused by\u00a0a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) becoming\u00a0trapped in the\u00a0very fine\u00a0filters of the kidney (glomeruli), causing\u00a0damage\u00a0and scarring to the whole kidney.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following a decision\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0National Institute for Health and Care Excellence\u00a0(NICE)\u00a0in November 2023, people with\u00a0IgAN\u00a0who had\u00a0high levels of protein in their urine\u00a0(a\u00a0urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of 1.5 g\/g\u00a0or more)\u00a0could\u00a0access\u00a0a\u00a0treatment\u00a0called\u00a0targeted-release budesonide on the NHS.<\/p>\n

Find out how our patient experts helped gain NICE approval.<\/a><\/p>\n\t

What this means for patients<\/h2>\n

The new decision – announced on Wednesday 4 February – now means the treatment can be offered to people living with IgAN who have a lower level of protein in their urine (0.8g\/g or more). <\/p>\nThis change could help people with IgAN start treatment earlier, potentially delaying, or even avoiding kidney failure.\u00a0\u00a0Kidney Research UK worked with a patient expert to share evidence and help the NICE committee understand the impact the treatment could have on people’s lives.\u00a0
\n\n

“Earlier access to treatment matters. This is a\u00a0really positive\u00a0step for people living with IgA nephropathy that should give\u00a0them\u00a0a better chance of slowing disease progression\u00a0as early\u00a0as possible,” said\u00a0Alison Railton, Kidney Research UK’s director of policy and public affairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We’re\u00a0grateful to the patient expert who shared their experience with NICE and helped show the real-world impact this decision could have. Working alongside patients strengthens the case for change, and\u00a0we’re\u00a0committed to doing more of this to ensure decisions reflect what truly matters to people affected by kidney disease,” she added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NICE\u00a0noted:\u00a0“Patient experts commented that preventing disease progression and delaying the need for dialysis or kidney transplant are particularly important, and that people with IgAN would welcome earlier access to targeted-release budesonide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The committee concluded that widening access to targeted\u00a0release budesonide would be welcomed by healthcare professionals and people with IgAN.”<\/p>\nFor more information see\u00a0Overview | Targeted-release budesonide for treating primary IgA nephropathy | Guidance | NICE<\/a>\u00a0
\n\n\t

Important information\u202ffor patients<\/h2>\n

If you are\u202fliving with\u00a0IgAN, please speak to your healthcare professional about how best to manage your treatment. This article is intended to provide general information and does not replace medical advice.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you experience any side effects, speak to your doctor,\u202fpharmacist\u202for nurse. You can also report side effects directly via the\u202fhttps:\/\/yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk<\/a>. By reporting side effects, you help improve the safety of medicines.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"Kidney