Cucchiaro (Csl Vifor Italia): "Proud for chronic kidney disease itching therapy"

'With the arrival of difelikefalin in Italy, we are happy to support patients and healthcare workers with a new standard of care'

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated itching affects approximately 9,000 patients on hemodialysis; it is a very common symptom, but still underestimated despite having a significant impact on the physical and mental life of those who suffer from it: sleep disturbances, feelings of frustration and isolation, just to name a few. "Thanks to the arrival in Italy of difelikefalin, the first therapy for the treatment of moderate-severe itching associated with CKD in adults undergoing hemodialysis, we are proud to be able to contribute to improving the quality of life of these patients". This is what Giuseppe Cucchiaro, General Manager of Csl Vifor Italia, told Adnkronos Salute, regarding the new therapeutic option - a synthetic selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist - for chronic kidney disease-associated itching.

"For years, Csl Vifor Italia has been committed to research and development to find concrete solutions for patients in various therapeutic areas, including nephrology - explains Cucchiaro - In this case, innovation is not only technological, but also cultural because it involves going beyond everything that was already known with consolidated protocols. We wanted to listen to patients, their needs and their symptoms. We are proud to support patients and healthcare professionals with a new standard of care".