Background
: Evidence suggests that triple therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being used in a broader range of patients than recommended by guidelines, which may have health and cost implications.
Objective
: To explore the relationship between national health technology assessment (HTA) agency appraisals and market penetration of two fixed-dose combination (FDC) triple therapies.
Study design
: HTAs from Q3 2017 to Q1 2020 from 10 countries were evaluated.
Intervention
: Glycopyrronium bromide/formoterol fumarate/beclomethasone (Trimbow®) and umeclidinium/vilanterol/fluticasone furoate (Trelegy™ Ellipta®).
Main outcome measure
: HTA restrictions and prescribing rates (days of therapy).
Results
: Seven countries (70%) imposed restrictions on use including prescription only for patients stable on free-combination triple therapy or not controlled on dual therapy, requirement of a specialist prescription or therapeutic plan, prescription only for patients with severe COPD, and use as second-line therapy or later. In general, countries that have imposed restrictions on the use of FDC triple therapies have seen a lower than average uptake.
Conclusion
: Payer guidance on prescribing FDC triple therapy may potentially support more appropriate prescribing in line with clinical guidelines. It is important for payers to consider which restrictions would ensure the most efficient use of scarce resources.
ObjectiveInhalation therapy is the cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, together with non-pharmacological treatments. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), alone or in combination with long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), are commonly used. Pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and soft mist inhalers (SMIs) are used, each with different carbon footprints. This study aimed to assess the carbon footprint of hypothetically replacing LAMA or LAMA/LABA inhalers with an SMI, Respimat Reusable, within the same therapeutic class.MethodsAn environmental impact model was established to assess the change in carbon footprint of replacing pMDIs/DPIs with Respimat Reusable within the same therapeutic class (LAMA or LAMA/LABA), across 12 European countries and the United States over 5 years. Inhaler use for country and disease-specific populations was derived from international prescribing data and the associated carbon footprint (CO2equivalents) were identified from published sources.ResultsOver 5 years and across all countries, replacing LAMA inhalers with Spiriva Respimat Reusable reduced CO2e emissions by 13.3–50.9%, saving 93–6228 tonnes of CO2e in the different countries studied. Replacing LAMA/LABA inhalers with Spiolto Respimat Reusable reduced CO2e emissions by 9.5–92.6%, saving 31–50 843 tonnes of CO2e. In scenario analyses, which included total replacement of DPIs/pMDIs, consistent CO2e savings were estimated. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were sensitive to changes in several parameters including varying assumptions around re-usability of inhalers and potential CO2e impact.ConclusionReplacement of pMDIs and DPIs with Respimat Reusable within the same therapeutic class, would result in substantial reductions in CO2e emissions.
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