Shortcomings in Pharmacy Benefit Forecasting - Interferon Beta Products

Interferon beta in multiple sclerosis: how much BENEFIT?

Despite pivotal trials of the disease-modifying agents interferon beta and glatiramer acetate, worldwide approval by licensing agencies, and a growing trend to treat all patients with early multiple sclerosis, controversy still exists about who and when to treat. 1,2 When a person presents to a neurologist for evaluation of a fi rst event (clinically isolated syndrome) suggestive of multiple sc...

Guideline on similar biological medicinal products containing interferon beta

Benefit of interferon beta-1a on MSFC progression in secondary progressive MS.

BACKGROUND Interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a, Avonex) is efficacious in relapsing forms of MS. Studies of other IFNbeta preparations in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) yielded conflicting results. This study was undertaken to determine whether IFNbeta-1a slowed disease progression in SP-MS. METHODS A total of 436 subjects with SPMS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.5 to 6.5 wer...

Pharmacy benefit spending on oral chemotherapy drugs.

BACKGROUND Pharmacy benefits have historically excluded injectable drugs, resulting in coverage of injectable drugs under the medical benefit. High-cost biologics and other new drug therapies are often injectables and therefore have not presented cost threats to pharmacy benefits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of capecitabine, an oral form of fluorouracil, in 1998, and imatinib...

Pharmacy benefit managers: a model for Medicare?

This issue brief uses large employer experiences with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to shed light on their potential as Medicare outpatient drug benefit administrators. PBM management techniques and typical employer approaches are discussed, as well as employer perspectives on PBM strengths and weaknesses and lessons learned. Considerations for Medicare policy are also examined. Information ...