U.S. Gastroenterologists Have Increased Their Use Of TNF-alpha Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Crohn's Disease Compared To Last Year

BURLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that through an examination of U.S. patient-level claims data, the TNF-alpha inhibitors drug class has experienced steady growth among recently treated Crohn's disease (CD) patients, compared to last year's findings. With nearly 10 percent growth since 2012, this boost is due in large part to gastroenterologists' increased prescribing of Abbvie's Humira.

The report entitled Key Findings from Treatment Algorithms in Crohn's Disease finds that Janssen's Remicade retained a slightly higher patient share over Humira throughout the analysis, and more CD patients switched to Humira from Remicade than vice versa, indicating that Remicade tends to be favored before Humira in the treatment algorithm.

The findings also reveal that oral 5-aminisalicylates will continue to be used in the early lines of therapy for patients with mild forms of CD. The preferred mesalamine-based oral drugs–Shire's Pentasa and Warner Chilchott's Asacol/Delzicol–hold nearly half of the first-line CD market. These findings are consistent with the CD treatment guidelines, which recommend a step-up paradigm that begins with less-potent drugs and ultimately leads to biologic therapy.

"While Humira accounts for much of the growth among TNF-alpha inhibitors, Remicade still remains the leading biologic for the treatment of Crohn's disease, benefiting from its status as the first biologic approved for CD and fistulizing CD," said Decision Resources Analyst Andrew Newton. "Despite the stiff competition between the biologics, the oral 5-aminosalicylates will remain the most commonly prescribed drug class among both newly diagnosed and recently treated patient cohorts, reflecting these agents' mild-side effect profiles, appealing oral mode of administration and physician familiarity."

The analysis is part of Decision Resources' Treatment Algorithms Insight series, which through examination of U.S. longitudinal patient-level claims data provides exceptional insight into physicians' prescribing trends, from diagnosis through multiple courses of treatment, for a specific disease. Quarterly data analysis reveals progression rates of patients through each line of therapy, the share each brand commands by line of therapy and add-versus-switch patterns to key brands.

In addition to CD, Decision Resources covers the following immune-based indications as part of the Treatment Algorithms service:

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Ulcerative Colitis

About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]

SOURCE Decision Resources

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED