Surveyed dermatologists expect to increase prescribing Stelara after FDA approval for psoriatic arthritis

About one-third of surveyed dermatologists expect to modestly increase prescribing ustekinumab as a first-line biologic for adults with active psoriatic arthritis, according to survey results from Decision Resources.

Ustekinumab (Stelara, Janssen Biotech) received FDA approval for the indication as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate in September. The fully human interleukin-12 and IL-23 antagonist previously was approved for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

“Following the FDA’s approval of self-administration for Stelara, 26% of surveyed dermatologists report they would at least modestly increase prescribing Stelara as a first-line biologic, suggesting that convenience of self-administration could further increase Stelara’s uptake,” according to the press release.

The release also said apremilast (Celgene) is expected to be FDA approved for psoriasis treatment in 2014. Seventy-two percent of dermatologists surveyed expected to prescribe apremilast as therapy if it were placed on a preferred tier, the release said.

“Apremilast’s oral formulation and its likely lower price compared with biologics would persuade dermatologists to prescribe apremilast,” Eun-Jin Yang, PhD, Decision Resources analyst, said in the release. “However, surveyed dermatologists who indicate a willingness to prescribe the drug anticipate the dissatisfaction with apremilast’s efficacy profile and expectation of poor formulary coverage or a high copay will constrain prescribing of the drug.”