Contributions
Abstract: EP1358
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: Glatopa 20 mg/mL was introduced in April 2015 as a follow-on glatiramer acetate (FOGA) therapy for patients with MS. However, little is known about patterns of Glatopa 20 mg/mL (FOGA) use since becoming commercially available.
Objectives: To describe the demographic characteristics and switching patterns of MS patients with FOGA use from a large US claims database.
Methods: The study sample included adult Medicare Advantage enrollees with Part D coverage (MAPD) meeting the following inclusion criteria: ≥1 pharmacy claim for FOGA between 01JUN2015 and 31JUN2016 (identification period). Index date was the date of the first pharmacy claim for FOGA during the identification period. Patients had continuous enrollment in a single health plan at least 6 months prior to index date and at least 3 months following index date. Discontinuation of FOGA was defined as a gap in therapy (ie, days without the medication) of at least 30 days. Therapies used by patients after discontinuation were also analyzed.
Results: A total of 95 subjects were included in the analysis (76% female, average age 61 years, average 428 days of follow-up). Eighty-four patients (88%) had a fill for Copaxone 20 mg/mL (branded glatiramer acetate [GA]) once-daily at some time prior to index date. Fifty-five patients (58%) were non-persistent on FOGA, either discontinuing with no evidence of another therapy or switching to another therapy. Overall, thirty-one patients (33%) switched to branded GA 20 mg/mL once-daily, and 9 (9.5%) switched to branded GA 40 mg/mL three-times-weekly. Seventeen patients (18%) restarted FOGA after discontinuation or switch. The average length of FOGA persistence before switch or discontinuation was 112 days.
Conclusions: Although the study sample was small, and the exact reasons for switch need to be further investigated, this study highlights the importance of understanding patient persistence and switching behaviors when they start on a new MS therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm and further investigate these findings.
Disclosure: Authors EH and DL were funded by Teva Pharmaceuticals to conduct a database survey analysis of pharmacy health claims. Authors YW, KB, JKA, and SM-G are employees of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Abstract: EP1358
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: Glatopa 20 mg/mL was introduced in April 2015 as a follow-on glatiramer acetate (FOGA) therapy for patients with MS. However, little is known about patterns of Glatopa 20 mg/mL (FOGA) use since becoming commercially available.
Objectives: To describe the demographic characteristics and switching patterns of MS patients with FOGA use from a large US claims database.
Methods: The study sample included adult Medicare Advantage enrollees with Part D coverage (MAPD) meeting the following inclusion criteria: ≥1 pharmacy claim for FOGA between 01JUN2015 and 31JUN2016 (identification period). Index date was the date of the first pharmacy claim for FOGA during the identification period. Patients had continuous enrollment in a single health plan at least 6 months prior to index date and at least 3 months following index date. Discontinuation of FOGA was defined as a gap in therapy (ie, days without the medication) of at least 30 days. Therapies used by patients after discontinuation were also analyzed.
Results: A total of 95 subjects were included in the analysis (76% female, average age 61 years, average 428 days of follow-up). Eighty-four patients (88%) had a fill for Copaxone 20 mg/mL (branded glatiramer acetate [GA]) once-daily at some time prior to index date. Fifty-five patients (58%) were non-persistent on FOGA, either discontinuing with no evidence of another therapy or switching to another therapy. Overall, thirty-one patients (33%) switched to branded GA 20 mg/mL once-daily, and 9 (9.5%) switched to branded GA 40 mg/mL three-times-weekly. Seventeen patients (18%) restarted FOGA after discontinuation or switch. The average length of FOGA persistence before switch or discontinuation was 112 days.
Conclusions: Although the study sample was small, and the exact reasons for switch need to be further investigated, this study highlights the importance of understanding patient persistence and switching behaviors when they start on a new MS therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm and further investigate these findings.
Disclosure: Authors EH and DL were funded by Teva Pharmaceuticals to conduct a database survey analysis of pharmacy health claims. Authors YW, KB, JKA, and SM-G are employees of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd