Treatment for House Dust Mite Allergy on the NHS

Allergy UK welcomes the decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to make Acarizax available on the NHS as a treatment for house dust mite.

Acarizax is an immunotherapy treatment for people 12 to 65 years and who are living with moderate to severe house dust mite allergy. It is the first treatment for house dust mite allergies that tackles the cause of house dust mite allergy – rather than just the symptoms – to be made available on the NHS. It has the potential of providing a long-term solution for people who haven’t found meaningful relief with existing approaches such as antihistamines and steroids.

House dust mite-driven allergic rhinitis can severely impact someone’s quality of life, affecting their ability to sleep and even attend work or school. The lack of respite from symptoms and the social isolation experienced by many who are affected can also bring a mental health burden.

For too long, this allergy has drastically diminished the quality of life for many, imposing a relentless cleaning regime and financial investment for those who must undertake arduous allergen reduction practices just to feel safer in their own homes.  For years, people with a house dust mite allergy have had no choice but to adopt this time intensive approach to feel some relief from symptoms. A recent survey we conducted highlighted that up to 81% of those living with an indoor allergy experience little to no respite from their symptoms. Now, with this immunotherapy treatment accessible through the NHS, patients will no longer need to rely on ongoing specialist allergy units to receive treatment for their house dust mite allergy – Simone Miles, Chief Executive of Allergy UK.

Acarizax tablets are a sublingual treatment – absorbed under the tongue. After the first treatment the tablets can be taken at home without specialist allergy clinic support as is often the case with immunotherapy treatments. The advantage of this is that patients who qualify for the treatment, will no longer need to rely on regular trips to specialist allergy units – sometimes many miles away from their homes and financially prohibitive – to receive treatment for house dust mite allergy.

Already available as a private treatment, the NICE decision is a step towards making allergy treatment more equitable and helps towards ending the postcode lottery in allergy healthcare.