Health care professionals express support for postpartum depression, myeloma treatments
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Key takeaways:
- The analysis revealed strong support for FDA approvals of zuranolone for postpartum depression and talquetamab-tgvs for multiple myeloma.
- HCPs also supported approval of a single-dose RSV vaccine.
Analysis of online conversations among health care professionals on social media during August revealed significant support for the first oral treatment for postpartum depression.
The agency approved zuranolone (Zurzuvae, Sage Therapeutics) on Aug. 7.
The analysis also revealed peaks in online conversations among health care professionals (HCPs) surrounding approvals of talquetamab-tgvs (Talvey, Janssen) — indicated for treatment of certain patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma — and a single-dose vaccine (Abrysvo, Pfizer) intended to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Creation Healthcare, a leading health care insights consultancy, used CREATION Pinpoint to analyze 2,896 English-language posts generated by 1,889 HCPs on X — formerly Twitter — from Aug. 1 to Aug. 30 to identify key aspects of discussions about FDA approvals and product launches.
The analysis showed more online discussion and greater engagement among HCPs about treatment approvals in August than July.
On Aug. 4, the FDA approved zuranolone as the first oral treatment for postpartum depression. Previously, the only treatment offered for postpartum depression had to be administered via IV injection in a health care facility.
Following the approval, HCPs celebrated the efficacy of the new treatment and the speed at which it works, with one calling it a “potential milestone” and others viewing it as an important expansion of their options.
On Aug. 10, the FDA announced the approval of talquetamab-tgvs, a first-in-class treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody.
HCPs shared their excitement online for having another safe and effective treatment available. Some described the treatment as “great for patients.”
On Aug. 21, the FDA approved Abrysvo, the first single-dose RSV vaccine approved for pregnant individuals to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) and severe LRTD among infants from birth through to age 6 months.
HCPs supported the approval, noting the fact that it protects infants from birth, and some HCPs called it “great news” for preventing infant suffering.
The three most shared links from HCPs covering product launches in August included a PR Newswire press release about the approval of talquetamab-tgvs, an article from The BMJ about how brexpiprazole — an FDA-approved antipsychotic treatment — failed to show clinical benefits and increased mortality, and an OncoAlert newsletter that detailed the European Medicines Agency’s approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) for treatment of gastric cancer.
References:
- FDA approves first vaccine for pregnant individuals to prevent RSV in infants (press release). Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-vaccine-pregnant-individuals-prevent-rsv-infants. Published Aug. 21, 2023. Accessed Sept. 28, 2023.
- FDA grants accelerated approval to talquetamab-tgvs for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (press release). Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-talquetamab-tgvs-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma. Published Aug. 9, 2023. Accessed Sept. 28, 2023.
- FDA approves Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the first and only oral treatment approved for women with postpartum depression, and issues a complete response letter for major depressive disorder (press release). Available at: https://investor.sagerx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-zurzuvaetm-zuranolone-first-and-only-oral-treatment. Published Aug. 4, 2023. Accessed Aug. 7, 2023.