BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peginterferon plus ribavirin is the state-of-the-art antiviral therapy for prevention of serious complications of hepatitis C. Our aim was to compare market uptake of and access to these drugs across Europe. METHODS: We collected launch and sales data for peginterferons for 21 countries in the WHO European region and compared country-specific sales rates. Additionally, we converted sales figures into patient numbers and related those to country-specific hepatitis C prevalence, taking into account genotype distribution, patient characteristics and practice patterns. RESULTS: Peginterferon sales rates differed considerably across countries. The earliest, most rapid and highest adoption rates were in EU founder states, followed by EU members that joined after foundation, and EU non-member states. Most new member states showed a marked increase in sales. By the end of 2005, approximately 308,000 patients had been treated with peginterferons in the 21 countries evaluated. The number of patients ever treated ranged from 16% of prevalent cases in France to less than 1% of cases in Romania, Poland, Greece and Russia. CONCLUSIONS: Peginterferon market uptake and access differed considerably across Europe, suggesting unequal access to optimised therapy. Besides budget restrictions, national surveillance and treatment policies should be considered as reasons for market access variation.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peginterferon plus ribavirin is the state-of-the-art antiviral therapy for prevention of serious complications of hepatitis C. Our aim was to compare market uptake of and access to these drugs across Europe. METHODS: We collected launch and sales data for peginterferons for 21 countries in the WHO European region and compared country-specific sales rates. Additionally, we converted sales figures into patient numbers and related those to country-specific hepatitis C prevalence, taking into account genotype distribution, patient characteristics and practice patterns. RESULTS: Peginterferon sales rates differed considerably across countries. The earliest, most rapid and highest adoption rates were in EU founder states, followed by EU members that joined after foundation, and EU non-member states. Most new member states showed a marked increase in sales. By the end of 2005, approximately 308,000 patients had been treated with peginterferons in the 21 countries evaluated. The number of patients ever treated ranged from 16% of prevalent cases in France to less than 1% of cases in Romania, Poland, Greece and Russia. CONCLUSIONS: Peginterferon market uptake and access differed considerably across Europe, suggesting unequal access to optimised therapy. Besides budget restrictions, national surveillance and treatment policies should be considered as reasons for market access variation.
Authors: Sonya A MacParland; Marc Bilodeau; Jason Grebely; Julie Bruneau; Curtis Cooper; Marina Klein; Selena Sagan; Norma Choucha; Louise Balfour; Frank Bialystok; Mel Krajden; Jennifer Raven; Eve Roberts; Rodney Russell; Michael Houghton; D Lorne Tyrrell; Jordan J Feld Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2014-10
Authors: Christopher E McGowan; Ali Monis; Bruce R Bacon; Josep Mallolas; Fernando L Goncales; Ioannis Goulis; Fred Poordad; Nezam Afdhal; Stefan Zeuzem; Teerha Piratvisuth; Patrick Marcellin; Michael W Fried Journal: Hepatology Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 17.425