DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6xfx9g/multiple) has announced the addition of the "Multiple Sclerosis Thought Leader Panel #15 Pharmacoeconomics" report to their offering.

Multiple Sclerosis Thought Leader Panel #15 2012-02, commissioned by BOLT International / MedPredict, was designed to address a question asked by a number of our clients: What benefits make a multiple sclerosis therapeutic worth the price? Asked another way, should MS therapies be priced more like an acute life-saving drug, whose survival benefit is measured in weeks or months? Or should they be priced more like therapies prescribed to deliver both symptomatic benefit and disease modifying properties for other immunologic conditions (psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease)? These agents top out in the $30,000 - $35,000/yr range. Are the QALY figures that Noyes cites reflective of overpriced drugs, ineffective therapies, or a combination of these two factors? Or do they reflect an over-hyped academic perspective that fails to capture the full spectrum of benefit that the drugs deliver over the entire course of the disease?

Applying the Goldilocks principle, our Panel concluded the following: Gilenya (fingolimod) may be as effective as Tysabri in terms of reducing disease activity measured by MRI, but at $52,000/yr, it's overpriced. The CRAB(E)s (interferon, Copaxone), are priced lower ($30,000 - $40,000, but are less effective even on this dimension. Tysabri (natalizumab), priced in the low $40,000/yr range, arguably has the best efficacy, and with the new diagnostic, can be timed for safe use. Tysabri is effective when measured by reduction in gadolinium enhancing lesions, and EDSS. In addition it is remarkably effective at returning patients to essentially normal function - meaning that they feel like they no longer have MS (also described as improves existing symptoms). The drug attenuates fatigue, early cognitive complaints, executive function problems and depression symptoms.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

- Backround

- Conclusions

Discussion

- Introduction

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Research and Markets: Multiple Sclerosis - Thought Leader Panel - Pharmacoeconomics - What Benefits Make a Multiple ...