BioMarin Europe has announced the launch of amifampridine (Firdapse®) for the symptomatic treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) in adults.

The basic NHS price for 100 x 10mg tablets is £2017. The recommended starting dose of amifampridine is 15mg per day, which can be increased in 5mg increments every 4 to 5 days, to a maximum of 60mg per day. No single dose should exceed 20mg. At the maximum dose of 60mg/day at £120 per day, the annual cost per patient is approximately £44,000 .Previously, this condition was treated with a different salt form which was unlicensed (3,4 Diaminopyridine) and cost £375 (ex VAT) for 336 x 20mg tablets, representing an annual cost (using 20mg tablets at maximum dose) of £1250.

In the UK, there are approximately 150 patients with LEMS