Dealing with the high cost of biological therapies: developing and implementing a biological therapy prioritization protocol for ankylosing spondylitis patients in a tertiary hospital.

Objective: In January 2011, a biological therapies commission was created in our hospital to fully address the management of biological drugs. A biological therapy prioritization protocol was developed for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Here, we describe it and report on its economic impact to illustrate how we are optimizing the use of these expensive new drugs.

Effectiveness of infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab for non-infectious refractory uveitis in adults.

Aim: To discuss the available data regarding the off-label uses of anti-TNF agents in non-infectious uveitis.

Data Source: A literature search was performed in Medline through PubMed from January 2001 to January 2014.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: English-language articles about uveitis treatment with anti-TNF drugs in adult patients were reviewed.

Economical impact associated with a biological therapy prioritization protocol in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the Hospital of Sagunto.

Background: Until 2010 the cost of biological treatments in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was increasing annually by 15% in our hospital. In 1st January 2011, a Hospital Commission of Biological Therapies involving rheumatology and pharmacy services was created to improve the management of biological drugs and a biological therapy prioritization protocol in RA patients was also established to improve the efficient usage of biological drugs in RA.

Objective: To evaluate the economic impact associated with a biological therapy prioritization protocol for RA patients in the Hospital of Sagunto.

Clinical and economic impact of the use of etanercept 25 mg once weekly in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Objective: To determine the clinical and economic impact of etanercept 25 mg/week (ETN25) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthropathy (PA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in sustained clinical remission.

Methods: Observational, retrospective cohort of patients treated with etanercept 50 mg/week (ETN50) who achieved and maintained clinical remission (Disease Activity Score 28 < 2.6 or BASDAI < 2) over a period of 1 year and had slow worsening of structural changes were enrolled in an off-label program (January 2006 to June 2013) to switch from ETN50 to ETN25.

Educational session as a tool to increase patient satisfaction of switching etanercept from the prefilled syringe to the autoinjection pen.

Objective: To assess patients' acceptability of switching etanercept from the prefilled syringe to the autoinjection pen in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Methods: A two-phase cross-sectional study was designed. First phase: consisted of a 2 h information/education session to present the pen and learning its use.