Coverage of Novel Therapies for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma in Brazil and Mexico Hinges on Demonstrating Clinical and Economic Benefit Versus MabThera and Velcade

BURLINGTON, Mass., June 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that targeted therapies such as MabThera (rituximab) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and Velcade (bortezomib) for multiple myeloma (MM) enjoy extensive but incomplete coverage in Brazil and Mexico through complex mechanisms. To obtain reimbursement, novel therapies for these indications must show head-to-head clinical benefits and improved cost-effectiveness (or other pharmacoeconomic benefits such as reduced budgetary impact) against these standards of care. However, meeting these requirements may become increasingly challenging because each of these markets has already welcomed a copy biologic or a generic version of these agents. Nonetheless, as the prevalence of NHL and MM continues to grow with the aging populations of Brazil and Mexico, the need for novel, more tolerable and effective agents increases.  

Other key findings from the Emerging Markets Physician and Payer Forum report entitled The Impact of LATAM (Brazil and Mexico) Payer Policy on Prescribing in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma include:

• In Brazil, the government is promoting the domestic production of biosimilars, such as rituximab biosimilars, to reduce health expenditures and promote industry.
• In Mexico, the coverage of NHL and MM agents varies between the national public healthcare institutions, ranging from requiring out-of-pocket payment or prior-authorization to readily providing therapies at no cost to covered patients.
• Patient shares of agents for NHL and MM are substantially different between the public and private sectors in Brazil and Mexico. In the public sector of both countries, patients with certain NHL subtypes versus others benefit from greater coverage.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Solsire Zevallos, Ph.D.:

• "Payers in Brazil and Mexico will grant formulary coverage to novel agents for NHL and MM that demonstrate clinical benefit and cost-savings to their health care systems. Although novel oral therapies such as Novartis' panobinostat offer savings on infusion costs, this may be curtailed by co-administration with IV therapies. On the other hand, Roche's Gazyva (obinutuzumab) and Bristol-Myers Squibb/AbbVie's elotuzumab are novel IV therapies that are favored by payers and physicians for their clinical efficacy." 
• "The entrance of generic versions of Velcade and biosimilar versions of MabThera may complicate the formulary inclusion of novel agents in the national public healthcare systems of Brazil and Mexico. However, certain public institutions in these markets are able to provide greater coverage, and the private sector—which is substantial and growing rapidly in Brazil—will continue to prefer branded agents."

Upcoming webinar:

• Media members are welcome to attend our upcoming webinar based on this report entitled Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma in LATAM: How are Physicians and Payers Managing Patient Access to MabThera and Velcade? This presentation will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. For more information, please contact Christopher Comfort at [email protected].

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group