Providers react positively to RSV vaccine news, plus Crohn's disease, heart failure drugs

Key takeaways:

• Creation Healthcare analyzed HCPs’ social media posts to gain insights into their thoughts on pharmaceutical news.
• The three most shared links were FDA releases on the approvals of Arexvy, Rinvoq and Inpefa.

An analysis of the online conversations among health care professionals on social media offered insight into, and sentiment toward, new pharmaceutical product approvals and launches.

Creation Healthcare analyzed 3,402 Twitter posts generated by 2,369 health care professionals (HCPs) discussing new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals from May 1 to May 31, 2023, with CREATION Pinpoint. They studied HCPs’ reactions and thoughts surrounding several product approvals to discover which new product launches they are discussing, as well as #WhatHCPsThink. The data included mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, European Medicines Agency, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, as well as mentions of drug approvals by HCPs in their Twitter conversations.

An analysis of the online conversations among health care professionals on social media offered insight into, and sentiment toward, new pharmaceutical product approvals and launches.

Image: Creation Healthcare

Key spikes in discussion surrounded the approval of the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for adults, the first approved oral product available to treat moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and the approval of a new treatment for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

On May 3, the FDA approved GSK’s Arexvy, the first RSV vaccine authorized for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in individuals aged 60 years and older. HCPs demonstrated their exuberance by sharing the approval alongside positive declarations. Some described it as “incredible news.” One HCP described this novel vaccine as a “long-sought scientific achievement.”

On May 18, the FDA approved AbbVie’s Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. Discussion surrounding the announcement was amplified by World IBD Day the following day. Experts shared positive comments around the approval, with some HCPs expressing delight about the first oral medication in this area. Others shared their encouragement for another effective option for patients to be launched.

On May 19, the FDA granted accelerated approval to Epkinly (epcoritamab-bysp), manufactured by Genmab, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. HCPs were delighted with the approval and expressed enthusiasm, stating the treatment would be a “wonderful addition” to other lymphoma treatments available to patients.

On May 23, the FDA approved Entasis Therapeutics’ Xacduro (sulbactam/durlobactam), a new treatment for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia caused by strains of bacteria that are difficult to treat. HCPs were eager to spread the news of the approval, sharing their excitement among their followers. Many celebrated the approval online and congratulated their peers for their scientific achievement.

At the end of the month, the FDA approved Lexicon Pharmaceutical’s Inpefa (sotagliflozin) for the treatment of heart failure. Inpefa has been granted approval for patients with heart failure or type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other cardiovascular risk factors. HCPs were positive about the approval, sharing the breaking news with their peers online. They commented on the promising trial data of the product, sharing their hope for the first dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor to be approved in heart failure.

The three most shared links from HCPs discussing product launches in May were the FDA press release on the approval of Arexvy, the FDA release on the approval of upadacitinib and Lexicon’s announcement of the approval of sotagliflozin.

References:

• FDA approves first oral treatment for moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-first-oral-treatment-moderately-severely-active-crohns-disease. Published May 18, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2023.
• FDA approves first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine. Published May 3, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2023.
• Highlights of prescribing information, RINVOQ. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/211675s015lbl.pdf. Accessed July 10, 2023.
• Lexicon announces FDA approval of Inpefa (sotagliflozin) for treatment of heart failure. https://www.lexpharma.com/media-center/news/2023-05-26-lexicon-announces-fda-approval-of-inpefa-sotagliflozin-for-treatment-of-heart-failure. Published May 26, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2023.