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Amgen & Abbvie Increase the Price of TNF Inhibitors
The manufacturers of the 2 best selling TNF inhibitors, Enbrel and Humira, have announced a 9.9% price increase of May 1st. The current average price of Enbrel is $42,000 per annum.
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A Microneedle Pill as an Alternative to Injectable Drug
Carl Schoellhammerhas just won the Lemelson-MIT National Collegiate Student Prize for his invention - the microneedle pill.
Read ArticleTanezumab in Osteoarthritis: Data Presented at OARSI
Pooled analyses of the tanezumab (a nerve growth factor inhibitor) phase 3 studies was presented at the 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress.
Read ArticleEconomic Impact of Biosimilars
According to the Federal Trade Commission biosimilars have the potential to save the U.S. healthcare system $250 billion through 2022.
Read ArticleHepatotoxicity and TNF Inhibitors
Hepatic enzyme elevations with TNF inhibitor use is not uncommon.
Read ArticleRA Compliance Undermines Treatment Success
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston prospectively studied 107 RA patients with regard to oral medication (DMARDs, steroids) adherence. They report that adherence was low, ranging from 58-71% overall.
Read ArticleZoster Risk is Similar Among Different MOA Biologics
The risk of new H zoster infection was studied among nearly 30,000 new biologic starts and compared rates seen with abatacept, adalimumab, rituximab, infliximab, etanercept, tocilizumab, certolizumab or golimumab initiation.
Read ArticleThe Risk of Listeriosis in RA
In the mid-1990s, our Rheumatology Division at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School became involved with an early trial of a brand new TNF inhibitor.
Read ArticleIs There a Standout When Comparing Novel Therapies?
Randomized clinical trials are needed to show efficacy and safety, and are needed to back up the claims and indications for a particular drug. The issue of treatment choice has become challenging, especially when choosing to start or augment therapy.
Read ArticleFDA Outlines its Guidance for Biosimilars
The FDA has released its guidance document on biosimilar development, stating that this represents its current thinking and may not be the final document. The document was published last week and will be instrumental in the development of biosimilar products in this country. In the
Read ArticleDrug-Induced Lupus is Rare with TNF inhibitor Therapy
Real World Biologic Success in Systemic JIA
A retrospective review of 77 SoJIA patients revealed that 50-70% achieved inactive disease or remission when treated with IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra, canakinumab). Good responses were seen with tocilizumab or abatacept, but only 8% responded to etanercept.
Read ArticleDRESS Trial Shows TNFi Dose Reduction is Possible - Without Major Flares
Can TNF inhibitor therapy be withdrawn in RA patients who are in remission? The DRESS trial reports the results of randomized trial of 180 RA patients taking either etanercept or adalimumab. Patients were randomly assigned to either usual care (no dose reduction) or a stepwise increase
Read ArticleHLA-DRB1 Alleles Augment RA Severity and TNF Inhibitor Responses
The HLA-DRB1 haplotype is a known risk factor for RA.
Read ArticleWait a minute: how much to develop a new drug?
Older estimates suggested it would cost $1 billion to develop a new drug. ThisNY Times article discusses newer estimates claiming it cost 2.6 billion to bring a new drug to market.
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