Abstract
Overview
Introduction
The disease-modifying drugs are considered by physicians to represent a
significant advance for the management of MS. However, none is fully effective
and there are problems with regards to side effects, dosing regimens and cost.
Tysabri, a novel once-monthly drug is expected to be an improvement in terms
of efficacy; however, there remains a concern over side effects and long-term
safety.
Scope
- Overview of epidemiology, presentation, referral and diagnostic assessment
in MS
- Breakdown of first-line to fourth-line treatment regimens and treatment
choice according to disease category
- Influences on treatment choice and perception of current drug therapies
- Evaluation of unmet needs and future outlook
Report Highlights
Multiple sclerosis affects less than 1% of the population in the US and
Europe. Despite the high level of general awareness of the disease,
neurologists estimate less than half of individuals present at the time they
suffer from first symptoms and it can take more than one year to receive an
accurate diagnosis.
Numerous strategies, including switching to an alternative interferon beta,
are adopted as second-line therapy. Although not favored by opinion leaders or
US neurologists, combining two disease-modifying drugs is popular in the 5EU
markets. Given the willingness of neurologists to try this strategy, further
trials are required.
Tysabri is perceived by neurologists as offering a clear improvement in terms
of disease-modifying efficacy. However, a lack of long-term safety data will
ensure for the moment it remains positioned as a last-line therapy for
relapse-remitting patients who have failed first- and second-line treatment
with interferon beta or glatiramer acetate.
Reasons to Purchase
- Target prescribers more effectively, through an understanding of
prescribing behavior and its influences
- Validate new product forecasting based on diagnosis and treatment rates,
and the likely rate of uptake for new products
- Benchmark brand awareness and perceptions surrounding product positioning
in order to formulate competitive lifecycle management strategies
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