Rheumatology

Researchers Present on Making AS Treatment More Affordable and More Effective

September 20th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is costly, even in high-income nations. In lower-income countries, patients may face serious challenges in accessing high-cost drugs, like anti–tumor necrosis factor agents, even when biosimilars are available.

Effective Switches to Biosimilars Feature in APLAR Research

September 19th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

During the 20th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Congress, held September 6 to 9 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, researchers presented on real-world experience with switching to biosimilars in treating rheumatic diseases.

More Evidence of Low Rates of Adherence and Persistence for Biologics for Inflammatory Diseases

September 13th 2018

By Jackie Syrop

Article

Adherence and persistence rates for biologic drugs are still low in the United States, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and putting a substantial burden on the healthcare system.

Celltrion Asks NHS to Start Biologics Earlier in Patients With RA

September 5th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Currently, UK eligibility criteria for starting biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) set a threshold of a disease activity score in a count of 28 joints of 5.1 or higher—the threshold for severe disease—on at least 2 occasions measured 1 month apart.

Celltrion Completes Phase 3 Trial for Subcutaneous Inflectra

September 4th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Celltrion announced last week that it has completed its phase 3 clinical trial for subcutaneous biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13, sold in the United States as Inflectra and in other territories as Remsima), and that it will now prepare a marketing authorization application for submission to the European Medicines Agency.

Review Suggests That Rheumatologists, Patients Need More Data on Switching to Etanercept Biosimilars

September 2nd 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Regulators licensed the 3 etanercept biosimilars discussed for all of the indications of the reference drug on the basis of the extrapolation of indications, a practice that the authors say rheumatologists may find “anomalous and a source of debate.”

Australia's PBAC Recommends 2 Adalimumab Biosimilars for Pharmacy-Level Substitution

August 24th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that 2 adalimumab biosimilars be treated as equivalent to the reference adalimumab, Humira, and be subject to substitution at the pharmacy level.

Survey Finds Patient, Nurse Preference for Biosimilar Etanercept's Autoinjector

August 22nd 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Because patients with rheumatoid arthritis may have compromised manual dexterity, they may have challenges with self-administering their biologic therapies. In the case of etanercept, which is typically administered once per week, device design that prioritizes ease of use can help improve patient adherence to treatment regimens.

A Switch to Biosimilar Etanercept Yields Mixed Results In Two UK Hospital Systems

August 21st 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

The advent of biosimilar etanercept, Benepali, in the United Kingdom has provided a significant opportunity for cost savings, given the biosimilar’s lower price than the reference Enbrel. As such, hospitals have been undertaking nonmedical switches to the biosimilar in order to benefit from these savings. During the British Society for Rheumatology 2018 Annual Conference, held in May in Liverpool, United Kingdom, investigators reported on the results of these switches, both on the financial wellbeing of the health system and on patients.

European Study: All Biologics Improve Quality of Life in RA, But Rituximab Is Cost-Effective

August 20th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

The researchers concluded that rituximab should be considered as a preferred biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy, though treatment of RA with any biologic medication improved quality of life significantly.