Novartis : Sandoz Glatopa demonstrates trend towards lower relapse rates and costs for MS patients in US compared to originator medicine in real-world study

Sandoz Inc. today announced results from a US real-world analysis showing that people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were treated with Glatopa (glatiramer acetate injection) 20 mg experienced similar health outcomes and costs, with a trend towards lower relapse rates and cost savings, compared to those treated with Teva's Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) 20 mg.

This study is the first to examine the real-world health outcomes and cost impact of switching patients from brand to generic glatiramer acetate injection, and has been published in the current issue of Current Medical Research & Opinion.1

'In addition to reinforcing the comparable effectiveness of Glatopa to Copaxone in the real-world, this study highlights the significant US cost reduction (75%) for glatiramer acetate injection therapy in the five years since the introduction of Glatopa and other generics,' said study author Steven B. Hall, Pharm.D., Executive Director and Head, Differentiated Products Medical Affairs at Sandoz. 'Glatopa is just one example of Sandoz ongoing commitment to help patients access high-quality medicine at a more affordable price while contributing to a sustainable healthcare system.'

Glatiramer acetate injection medicines account for approximately one-third of MS disease modifying therapy prescriptions.1 As of November 2019, Glatopa has the lowest wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of all glatiramer acetate injection medicines available to people living with MS in the US.2

The retrospective claims study compared MS relapse rates and treatment costs of more than 300 patients with relapsing forms of MS who were treated with either Glatopa 20 mg or Copaxone 20 mg. A trend towards lower relapse rates and cost savings was observed in patients treated with Glatopa, but the differences were borderline statistically significant and not statistically significant, respectively. Patient data was drawn from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database from 2013 to 2018.

MS is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system that affects around 400,000 people in the US.3 In addition to the personal burden of MS for patients and families, affordability is a significant challenge for MS patients globally. Glatopa was the first FDA-approved, fully substitutable, AP rated generic version of the originator brand-name medicine.

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