ABCR and Multiple Sclerosis
- Sunday, August 2, 2009, 9:55
- Multiple Sclerosis
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- Dick:
- We’re going to continue our discussion now with Dr. Elliot Frohman. Restate for us how important the ABCRs are in slowing down the progression of MS.
- Dr. Frohman:
- Most of the clinical trials that have been done with the ABCR drugs – Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif – these trials principally have looked at evidence related to inflammatory aspects of the disease such as the development of new lesions on MRI in addition to the development of new disease-related exacerbation.
However, the studies have also carefully looked at the role of these drugs in treating patients with multiple sclerosis and their ability to slow progression over time. Particularly the interferons have had an extremely good track record in slowing progression of disease over time.
“The insurance industry is really trying to expand their own fund of knowledge in terms of what the issues are that are faced by patients and their families.” - Dick:
- Are insurers following these studies and are they receptive to reimbursing for the ABCR therapies?
- Dr. Frohman:
- Well, our experience in our clinic may be somewhat skewed by the fact that we have a large subspecialty clinic. We have not had that much difficulty convincing most of these insurers to cover these agents and to recognize how critically important they are as part of the pharmacy benefit. On occasion, I have the opportunity to be either speaking in the community or to insurance carriers themselves. I’ve actually had a number of symposia with folks from the insurance industry who are really trying to expand their own fund of knowledge in terms of what the issues are that are faced by patients and their families.
There really is a genuine interest in trying to determine what is the right policy on the part of these pharmacy benefit boards in terms of whether these drugs should be on the formulary? Should we be paying for them? How important are they?
In years gone by, we tended to be much more nihilistic about the involvement of the insurance companies, and it really had to do with economics. But I think there really is a growing interest. I think part of this is being catalyzed by what was mentioned before, and that is the strength of the advocacy groups – the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the MS Association, congressional working groups, and certainly the organization of patients themselves.
Our government agencies, these insurance companies, and the biopharmaceutical companies are listening very carefully to the loud calls from patients and families in our culture [who are] saying, “Look, we have chronic illnesses that certainly are advantaged by early treatment and consistent treatment, and yes, the drugs are expensive, , but disability is much more expensive, particularly when it affects an individual and his or her family when they’re in the prime of life.
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