Etanercept and its implications for managed care.

Etanercept, a new drug for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), offers a safe and effective, but somewhat costly treatment for a condition for which therapeutic options have been scarce. Its debut poses a challenge to managed care organizations in terms of its potentially adverse impact on the pharmacy budget. Managed care organizations must take the initiative in developing appropriate criteria for authorizing the use of etanercept and in overseeing the management and reimbursement of various treatments for PsA. Care is warranted in evaluating the options to take into account the clinical, human, and financial ramifications of their use.