Giannis Papadopoulos
University of Athens
Greece
Title: The safety of biological medicines for rheumatoid arthritis & their economic consequences
Biography
Biography: Giannis Papadopoulos
Abstract
Introduction: Biotechnological medicines have improved the treatment of various diseases and the quality of life of patients. The administration of a drug may lead to adverse events that may or may not be documented. These events affect disease progression and health expenditures. Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) is an autoimmune disease for which biotechnological medicines are prescribed. RA has serious economic impact. Especially, the annual cost of RA is 41billion Euros in the U.S.A. and 45billion Euros in Europe, which are increasing dramatically with appearance of an adverse event. Aims: To record the ADR of biotechnological drugs prescribed for R.A., to assess their possible effects on both patient & health system and to develop a tool aiming the efficient use of biological medicines. Methodology: A review of existing literature on adverse events of biotechnological medicines for RA & analysis of all available data from Eudravigiliance were conducted. The collection of adverse events data from rheumatology clinics of various hospitals will be conducted. Finally, any algorithm/tool currently utilized to guide the selection of the most appropriate treatment will be assessed. Results: 60% of patients are female aged 18-65 years. 20% of reports indicated that an infection has occurred, 15% highlighted the existence of inflammation at the site of injection and 12.5% reported a gastrointestinal disorder. The occurrence of musculoskeletal problems, hyperplasia and nervous disorder estimated at 10% of the reports and the respiratory problems approximately 8%. Conclusion: Infection or inflammation at the site of injection is the most common adverse events altering microbiological profile of patient. Possible relationships/associations between certain parameters (for example genome and the appearance of an adverse event) which will contribute to the safer and efficient use of biological drugs will be examined. In addition, the total average medical costs were reported to range from 5720$ to 5822$, while the average number of days absent from work due to a person's RA was reported to range from 2, 7 to 30 days /years. The appearance of adverse events increases dramatically the therapeutic costs.