Organon & Co. announced that the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has exclusively selected HADLIMA in replacement of HUMIRA (adalimumab) for the VA National Formulary. HADLIMA is an FDA-approved biosimilar to HUMIRA for the treatment of specific autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn?s disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, and plaque psoriasis.

HADLIMA was launched in the US to offer patients a more affordable option without compromising on safety and efficacy. HADLIMA is FDA approved in both citrate-free high concentration (40 mg/0.4 mL), the most-utilized formulation of the originator, and citrate-containing low concentration (40 mg/0.8 mL) formulations to provide patients with continuity of care. Intended to fit into a patient?s lifestyle, HADLIMA is available in both a pre-filled syringe and autoinjector option.

The HADLIMATM PushTouch? Autoinjector was specifically designed with the patient in mind, with a thin 29G needle, a latex-free needle cover, and a buttonless device with a sure-grip shape and a non-slip surface. The PushTouch Autoinjector has been awarded the Arthritis Foundation?s Ease of Use Certification, which recognizes products that make life easier for those living with arthritis and other functional limitations via lab and patient testing by the Intuitive Design Applied Research Institute (IDARI).

Patients treated with adalimumab products, including HADLIMA, are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Discontinue HADLIMA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with HADLIMA, including the possible development of tuberculosis (TB) in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.

Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products. HADLIMA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker indicated for: Rheumatoid Arthritis: HADLIMA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: HADLIMA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 2 years of age and older.

Psoriatic Arthritis: HADLIMA is indicated, alone or in combination with non-biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. Ankylosing Spondylitis: HADLIMA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Crohn?s Disease: HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn?s disease in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.

Ulcerative Colitis: HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients. Limitations of Use: The effectiveness of HADLIMA has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Plaque Psoriasis: HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate.

HADLIMA should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in adult patients. Uveitis: HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adult patients.

Patients treated with adalimumab products, including HADLIMA, are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. Discontinue HADLIMA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.

Reported infections include: Active tuberculosis (TB), including reactivation of latent TB. Patients with TB have frequently presented with disseminated or extrapulmonary disease. Test patients for latent TB before HADLIMA use and during therapy.

Initiate treatment for latent TB prior to HADLIMA use. Invasive fungal infections, including histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and pneumocystosis. Patients with histoplasmosis or other invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease.

Antigen and antibody testing for histoplasmosis may be negative in some patients with active infection. Consider empiric anti-fungal therapy in patients at risk for invasive fungal infections who develop severe systemic illness. Bacterial, viral, and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella and Listeria.

Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with HADLIMA prior to initiating therapy in patients: with chronic or recurrent infection, who have been exposed to TB, with a history of opportunistic infection, who resided in or traveled in regions where mycoses are endemic with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with HADLIMA, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy. Do not start HADLIMA during an active infection, including localized infections.

Patients older than 65 years, patients with co-morbid conditions, and/or patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants may be at greater risk of infection. If an infection develops, monitor carefully and initiate appropriate therapy.