Contributions
Abstract: EP1712
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: The use of generic (non-proprietary)compared to brand-name drugs is becoming popular in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS). Generics for MS are not necessarily less expensive than brand-name drugs, while generic companies have more flexible compliance regulations. Argentina is one of the leading countries with higher availability of generic agents (n=16; interferon, glatiramer, dimethyl-fumarate, teriflunomide, fingolimod).
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of therapeutic inertia (TI) between primary users of generics vs. brand agents in the management of MS in Argentina.
Design: We conducted an online study comprising 117 neurologists with expertise in MS. Participants answered questions regarding their clinical practice,most commonly used disease modifying agents, and therapeutic choices of 10 simulated case-scenarios. TI was defined as the lack of treatment initiation or escalation when evidence of clinical and radiological activity(8 case-scenarios, 720 individual responses). We created the brand-name/generic score (BGS)according to the top 5 frequent use of brand-name (n=9) vs. generic (n=16) drugs for MS, where scores lower than 1 indicates higher use of generics and scores >1 indicated higher use of brand agents. Candidate predictors of TI included demographic data, MS specialist vs. general neurologist, practice setting, years of practice, volume of MS patients, risk preferences, and the BGS.
Results: Overall,90 participants completed the study (completion rate 76.9%). TI was observed in 153 (21.3%) of participants' responses.The mean BGS score (SD)was 2.75 (2.1).Overall,46 (51.1%) participants had a BGS equal to or lower than 1. The most common generic drugs used include interferon B1 b (Blastoferon® Biosidus), and Fingolimod (Bago and Raffo).The evaluation of individual responses revealed that lower BGS scores was associated with higher TI (mean BGS 2.44 for TI vs. 2.84 for no TI; p=0.04). The multivariable analysis revealed that for every point increase in the BGS, there was areduction in TI (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.44-0.94); equivalent toa 56% (1/OR)significant increased in TI for primary generic-name users.
Conclusions: TI is a common phenomenon affecting one in five clinical situations. The primary use of generic-name drugswas associated with a 56% increase in the likelihood of TI.Further studies are needed to understand the underlying causes of this phenomenon.
Disclosure: FC: He received fees for consultancy and Advisory Board membership and fees for travel, academic conferences and research projects from Genzyme, Novartis ; Merck, Ivax, Roche and Biogen Idec.
MS: Received honoraria for attendance at Congresses from Biogen Idec. and Novartis. He also received honoraria as a speaker from Roche
MT: nothing to disclose
BS: received economic retribution for the development of educational, scientific activities and travel grants to Congresses of the following pharmaceutical companies: Biogen, Novartis, Merck, Genzyme and Ivax
GS: is supported by the HSF Career Scientist Award following an open peer reviewed competition.
Abstract: EP1712
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: The use of generic (non-proprietary)compared to brand-name drugs is becoming popular in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS). Generics for MS are not necessarily less expensive than brand-name drugs, while generic companies have more flexible compliance regulations. Argentina is one of the leading countries with higher availability of generic agents (n=16; interferon, glatiramer, dimethyl-fumarate, teriflunomide, fingolimod).
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of therapeutic inertia (TI) between primary users of generics vs. brand agents in the management of MS in Argentina.
Design: We conducted an online study comprising 117 neurologists with expertise in MS. Participants answered questions regarding their clinical practice,most commonly used disease modifying agents, and therapeutic choices of 10 simulated case-scenarios. TI was defined as the lack of treatment initiation or escalation when evidence of clinical and radiological activity(8 case-scenarios, 720 individual responses). We created the brand-name/generic score (BGS)according to the top 5 frequent use of brand-name (n=9) vs. generic (n=16) drugs for MS, where scores lower than 1 indicates higher use of generics and scores >1 indicated higher use of brand agents. Candidate predictors of TI included demographic data, MS specialist vs. general neurologist, practice setting, years of practice, volume of MS patients, risk preferences, and the BGS.
Results: Overall,90 participants completed the study (completion rate 76.9%). TI was observed in 153 (21.3%) of participants' responses.The mean BGS score (SD)was 2.75 (2.1).Overall,46 (51.1%) participants had a BGS equal to or lower than 1. The most common generic drugs used include interferon B1 b (Blastoferon® Biosidus), and Fingolimod (Bago and Raffo).The evaluation of individual responses revealed that lower BGS scores was associated with higher TI (mean BGS 2.44 for TI vs. 2.84 for no TI; p=0.04). The multivariable analysis revealed that for every point increase in the BGS, there was areduction in TI (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.44-0.94); equivalent toa 56% (1/OR)significant increased in TI for primary generic-name users.
Conclusions: TI is a common phenomenon affecting one in five clinical situations. The primary use of generic-name drugswas associated with a 56% increase in the likelihood of TI.Further studies are needed to understand the underlying causes of this phenomenon.
Disclosure: FC: He received fees for consultancy and Advisory Board membership and fees for travel, academic conferences and research projects from Genzyme, Novartis ; Merck, Ivax, Roche and Biogen Idec.
MS: Received honoraria for attendance at Congresses from Biogen Idec. and Novartis. He also received honoraria as a speaker from Roche
MT: nothing to disclose
BS: received economic retribution for the development of educational, scientific activities and travel grants to Congresses of the following pharmaceutical companies: Biogen, Novartis, Merck, Genzyme and Ivax
GS: is supported by the HSF Career Scientist Award following an open peer reviewed competition.