Survey finds Humira most prescribed biologic for treating psoriasis compared with Enbrel

A survey by Decision Resources Group found that Humira was the biologic most prescribed for moderate-to-severe psoriasis when compared with Enbrel, according to a press release.

However, Enbrel (etanercept, Amgen/Pfizer) had a more favorable reimbursement environment compared with Humira (adalimumab, AbbVie), according to the release.

“Physicians reported that they are already prescribing Humira to more patients than they are Enbrel, even though both physicians and payers report that Enbrel has the better formulary position,” Brian Nasipak, Decision Resources Group analyst, said in the release. “Our survey finds that physicians are willing to prescribe biosimilar adalimumab, and if payers make it easier to obtain reimbursement for biosimilar adalimumab before Enbrel, we may see erosion not just of Humira, but Enbrel as well.”

Stelara’s (ustekinumab, Janssen) patient share relies on patients who have failed one or more TNF-alpha inhibitors, such as etanercept or adalimumab, the release reported.

Recently or soon-to-be launched IL-17 inhibitors ixekizumab (Eli Lilly) and brodalumab (Valeant/AstraZeneca) are expected to challenge ustekinumab’s share of the market, the release reported.

Other findings from the report, titled “Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: Physician and Payer Receptivity to Novel Oral and Biologic Agents vs. Biosimilars,” included that the potential for brodalumab to be approved with a warning label for suicidal ideation will impact its acceptance, as well as the perception of other IL-17 inhibitors, including Consentyx (secukinumab, Novartis) and ixekizumab, according to the release.

Otezla (apremilast, Celgene) is being used by physicians as a replacement for older systemic agents “or as a step between older medications and biologics,” the release stated.

Xeljanz (tofacitinb, Pfizer), if approved for psoriasis, is likely to be used similar manner, according to survey findings.

Reference: www.decisionresourcesgroup.com