ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Given the intersection between rheumatology and dermatology for many patients with autoimmune diseases, it’s helpful to hear from specialists in both fields regarding disease management strategies.
After years of legal disputes between drug makers, adalimumab-atto (Amjevita) biosimilar to adalimumab (Humira) is now available in the U.S. to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. Adalimumab-atto is the first of several biosimilars to adalimumab expected to become available in the U.S. in 2023.
Ongoing ACR advocacy efforts are working to keep biologic drugs accessible to rheumatology patients, defending the ability of rheumatology practices to use the complex chemotherapy codes for administration of biologic therapies.
A study has shown that in untreated patients with early RA, treatment with methotrexate combined with the biologic therapies abatacept or certolizumab-pegol resulted in greater CDAI remission rates than active conventional therapy with prednisolone, sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine.
Based on findings from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating its efficacy and safety, rituximab-arrx has received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Although effective against rheumatic disease, biologic therapies come with hefty price tags. Patient assistance programs can be a useful resource to help under- and uninsured patients get the drugs they need.
Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options; others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…
Enabling rheumatology practices to use complex administration codes for biologic drugs is critical for maintaining patient access to essential therapies.