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news.Vifor Pharma has received approval from the Swiss agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) for Velphoro, a non-calcium, iron-based, chewable phosphate binder, for the control of serum phosphorus levels in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.
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The approval has already been given in the 28 EU member states and in the US, based on study data showing that Velphoro can control hyperphosphatemia with fewer tablets than sevelamer carbonate, the current standard of care in patients with CKD on dialysis.
The company said that after 24 weeks, the average daily dose required to control hyperphosphatemia was only 3.1 tablets for Velphoro, compared to 8.1 tablets with sevelamer carbonate.
Hyperphosphatemia is an abnormal elevation of phosphorus levels in the blood as well as it is a common and serious condition in CKD patients on dialysis.
The recommended starting dose of Velphoro is three tablets per day (one tablet per meal), so the drug can contribute to improving phosphate management in these patients.
Velphoro (polynuclear iron(III)-oxyhydroxide, sucroferric oxyhydroxide) will be available in Switzerland by end of March 2015.