In brief
In recent years there has been a quiet revolution in the treatment of “bad” cholesterol: a whole class of drugs has emerged that lowers LDL by 50–60% where statins fall short. In 2026 the class reached its first pill. Here is what that means for patients.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol) is one of the principal modifiable risk factors for heart attack and stroke. A simple rule applies here, confirmed by decades of research: the lower the LDL and the longer it stays low, the lower the cardiovascular risk. The problem is that for some patients diet and statins are not enough to reach target levels, or statins are poorly tolerated.
PCSK9 is a protein that prevents the liver from clearing LDL from the blood. Block it, and the liver removes “bad” cholesterol from the blood far more efficiently. Several generations of drugs are already built on this idea:
Important: these drugs do not replace statins or a healthy lifestyle; they complement them when targets have not been reached. The decision is always made individually, based on the level of risk.
With numbers. A lipid profile is a simple blood test; together with your blood pressure, blood sugar and family history, it allows a cardiologist to calculate your personal cardiovascular risk and your target LDL level. Then comes the plan: for most people that means lifestyle and, if necessary, standard therapy; the new drugs are for those who genuinely need them. Check with your doctor about the availability of specific drugs in the UAE: new medicines are registered here at their own pace.
At GMS a cardiologist sees patients daily; the consultation is AED 750, and a lipid profile and cardiac check-ups are available at the same clinic. We consult in Russian and English.
PCSK9 is a protein that stops the liver clearing LDL from the blood. Blocking it lets the liver remove ‘bad’ cholesterol far more efficiently. The drugs built on this idea include the monoclonal antibodies evolocumab and alirocumab, inclisiran, lerodalcibep and the pill enlicitide.
People who have had a heart attack, stroke or stent, people with familial hypercholesterolaemia, and those who cannot tolerate statins or do not reach target on the maximum dose. The decision is made individually by a cardiologist based on risk; the drugs complement statins and a healthy lifestyle rather than replace them.
Yes: enlicitide is the first pill that blocks PCSK9, approved by the FDA in July 2026. In trials, patients on maximally tolerated statins saw LDL fall by a further 56–59% on average. Check with your doctor about availability in the UAE, as new medicines are registered here at their own pace.
This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation. If you have symptoms, see a doctor.
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