Data From Ortho Biotech-Sponsored Studies to be Presented at National Kidney Foundation 2008 Spring Clinica...( DALLAS April 4 2008 /- Data from ...),Health

DALLAS, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Data from five studies sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. will be presented at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2008 Spring Clinical Meetings from April 2 - 6, 2008; three utilization studies involve PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa).

The data include studies that compare drug utilization patterns and costs of PROCRIT (EPO) and darbepoetin alfa (DARB), evaluate medical costs related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hypertension or diabetes, and show the impact on hemoglobin (Hb) control using a software-based management tool. These retrospective analyses used data from actual clinical practice.

Data on Drug Utilization Patterns and Costs of Epoetin Alfa and Darbepoetin Alfa

-- Abstract: Assessment of Drug Utilization Patterns and Costs for

Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents in Patients with Chronic Kidney

Disease

Patrick Lefebvre, M.A., Groupe d'analyse, Ltee, Montreal, Quebec,

Canada

A retrospective analysis of medical claims was conducted using the

Ingenix Impact National Managed Care Database to examine recent EPO and

DARB treatment patterns and corresponding drug costs in newly-initiated

CKD patients treated with EPO (n=1,110) or DARB (n=723) not receiving

dialysis. Mean cumulative dose was used to calculate drug costs based

on October 2007 wholesale acquisition unit prices.

-- Abstract: Drug Utilization and Cost Considerations of Predialysis

Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Receiving Erythropoietic Stimulating

Agents Through Pharmacy Benefits

Francois Laliberte, M.A., Groupe d'analyse, Ltee, Montreal, Quebec,

Canada

A retrospective analysis of pharmacy claims using the PharMetrics

Patient-Centric Database, which represents approximately 85 managed

healthcare plans, was conducted to compare drug utilization patterns'/>"/>