- Center on Health Equity and Access
- Clinical
- Health Care Cost
- Health Care Delivery
- Insurance
- Policy
- Technology
- Value-Based Care
Dr Patricia Coyle: Ofatumumab Has the Benefit of Being Taken at Home
The biggest difference between ocrelizumab and the recently approved ofatumumab is that ofatumumab can be taken at home for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), explained Patricia K. Coyle, MD.
Ofatumumab was recently approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), making it a direct competitor of ocrelizumab; the biggest difference between the 2 therapies is that ofatumumab can be taken at home, explained Patricia K. Coyle, MD, director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center and professor of neurology at Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute.
Transcript
Ofatumumab was recently approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. How does it fit into the treatment landscape for patients with MS?
Ofatumumab is a human anti-CD20. As an MS anti-CD20, it is a high-efficacy monoclonal agent. It will be a direct competitor for ocrelizumab, the humanized anti-CD20. Probably the biggest difference is that ofatumumab is given by a subcutaneous monthly injection every 4 weeks and can be delivered at home. This is after a 20 milligram, 3 times over 2 weeks loading dose, and then it's 20 milligrams [subcutaneously] every 4 weeks. That's in contrast to ocrelizumab, which is given intravenously every 6 months.
So, I think you have now a choice between 2 anti-CD20s that are high-efficacy, relatively safe options. One you come to an infusion center twice a year, the other you inject at home subcutaneously monthly.
Joanne Mizell: Lifestyle Modification Programs Take Holistic Aim at Metabolic Disease
May 1st 2024Joanne Mizell shares insurer strategies in addressing the escalating rates of metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment methods like lifestyle modification programs, which integrate nutrition, physical activity, and community engagement.
Read More
Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
Listen
Diving Deep Into Specialty Pharmacy: Insights and Forecasts From IQVIA’s Doug Long
May 1st 2024Doug Long, MBA, vice president of industry relations at IQVIA, covered a bevy of stakeholder investment–related topics in his presentation at AXS24 on trends in specialty pharmacy, chief among them challenges facing the industry, obesity medications, generics and biosimilars, new product launches, and the outlook for the US market.
Read More
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen
AUA to Focus on Inclusive Care, Robotic Surgeries, and Future of Urology at 2024 Annual Meeting
May 1st 2024The American Urological Association (AUA) 2024 Annual Meeting will highlight the latest innovations and future trends in urology, featuring dynamic plenary sessions, educational opportunities for providers, and discussions on cutting-edge treatments and global health initiatives.
Read More
