( feron beta-1b) $21073.33. In additi...)New One-Year Pharmacoeconomic Study Shows Avonex is Cost-Effective,Relative to Other Interferon Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis,Health

In addition, AVONEX patients were more likely to refill their prescriptions (avg.9.6/yr vs. 8.1 and 8.2/yr for other interferon beta therapies) and were less likely to use certain concomitant medications. Over the one-year period, use of disease-modifying therapies (interferon beta and glatiramer acetate) was almost always observed as monotherapy, reflecting little evidence of combination use or switching between products.

Additionally, according to data from the Quality Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis Therapy (QUASIMS) study presented at the AMCP Conference, patients do not derive additional clinical benefit from switching among interferon beta therapies. QUASIMS, an open-label, retrospective, observational study conducted in 14 countries, analyzed 7,156 MS patients who had received two years of uninterrupted therapy with interferon beta as initial therapy or follow-up therapy.

About AVONEX

AVONEX is the most prescribed treatment for relapsing forms of MS worldwide, with more than 130,000 patients on therapy. It was launched in the U.S. in 1996 and later in Europe for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to slow the progression of disability and reduce relapses. AVONEX is marketed internationally in more than 90 countries. AVONEX was the first treatment approved for patients who have their first clinical MS attack and have a brain MRI scan consistent with MS; this use was approved in Europe in 2002 and in the U.S. in 2003. The most common side effects associated with AVONEX multiple sclerosis treatment are flu-like symptoms, including myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.

AVONEX should be used with caution in patients with depression or other mood disorders and in patients with seizure disorders. AVONEX should not be used by pregnant women. Patients with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Patients should also be monitored for signs of hepatic injury
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