Specific host/environmental factors can be used to identify which 33-35GA infants are at greatest risk of hospitalization for RSV infection and likely to benefit from palivizumab prophylaxis.

This study demonstrates that prophylaxis with palivizumab during the RSV season was associated with a low rate of hospitalization for RSV-positive LRTIs. Palivizumab was well-tolerated, and compliance was high. The findings confirm the results of the major randomized clinical trial of palivizumab and demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of RSV prophylaxis.

Introduction To save costs to the healthcare system, forced non-medical switch (NMS) policies that cut drug coverage for originator biologics and fund only less expensive biosimilars are being implemented. However, costs related to the impact of NMS on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) must also be considered. This study aims to summarize the evidence on the economic impact of an originator-to-biosimilar NMS. Methods A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. Publications reporting on HCRU or costs associated with originator-to-biosimilar NMS in the real-world setting were searched in MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 2008 to February 2020. In addition to hand searching the reference lists of relevant publications and SLRs, key conference websites, PubMed, and various government sites were also searched for the 2 years preceding the search (2018–2020). Results A total of 1845 citations were identified, of which 49 were retained for data extraction. Most studies reporting on the HCRU associated with NMS reported on post-NMS HCRU alone without a comparison pre-NMS. However, four studies described a difference in HCRU (i.e., investigations pre- vs post-switch or between non-switchers vs switchers), all of which reported a relative increase in HCRU, including laboratory testing, imaging, medical visits, and hospitalizations, amongst patients who underwent an originator-to-biosimilar NMS. Most studies reporting on the costs associated with NMS reported significant savings following NMS on the basis of drug costs alone. However, four studies specifically reporting on the difference of costs following originator-to-biosimilar NMS all demonstrated an increase in HCRU-related costs associated with NMS (increase in HCRU-related costs of 4–37% or 148–2234 2020 Canadian dollars). Conclusion Amongst the studies that reported on the difference in HCRU pre- vs post-switch or between non-switchers and switchers, all showed an increase in HCRU and related costs associated with NMS, suggesting that the expected overall savings due to less costly drug prices may be reduced as a result of an increase in HCRU and its associated costs post-switch. Nevertheless, more real-world studies that include NMS-related healthcare costs in addition to drug costs are needed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01951-z.

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in pre-pubertal children with idiopathic GH Deficiency (GHD) and Turner Syndrome (TS). The long-term prediction of height was validated in new cohorts of pre-pubertal children with GHD (nϭ 664) or TS (nϭ607) from KIGS. RESULTS: When height was simulated from GH start in GHD, the predicted mean (SD) gain after 4 years was 30.4 (3.4) cm; the observed height gain was 30.0 (5.0) cm. In TS the corresponding predicted and observed mean gains were 27.2 (2.2) and 26.5 (3.8) cm. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential application of annual KIGS growth prediction models permits accurate simulation of height development during the first four years of GH treatment in GHD and TS and is applicable for patient groups from GH start. Long-term growth simulation helps managing patient's expectations and facilitates an individualised, cost effective growth hormone (GH) therapy in children.

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