PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Resident Loma Linda University Health Redlands, California, United States
Poster Abstract: Background/rationale: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and cost associated with the use of filgrastim (Neupogen) and filgrastim biosimilar (Zarxio) for patients admitted at Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC). In 2015, filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio) was FDA approved as a biosimilar to Neupogen1. Zarxio was approved through The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, which allowed for an abbreviated pathway to make this a more affordable option for patients experiencing neutropenia2. To treat neutropenia, daily injections of a filgrastim product are administered until neutrophil recovery2,3. There is limited published data comparing the cost or clinical effectiveness of Neupogen and Zarxio to treat patients experiencing neutropenia. This study will assess patients' ANC recovery over a treatment course.
Objective(s): The primary object was to evaluate time to recovery after receiving Neupogen or Zarxio. The secondary objective compared the treatment course cost of Zarxio to Neupogen. These were both done by assessing the number of doses a patient needed over a treatment course.
Methods: This is an IRB-approved, single-center, retrospective, observational study conducted at LLUMC. Adult patients who received at least one dose of Neupogen or Zarxio in the inpatient setting between January 2015 and December 2021 were included. Information was collected through electronic medical records, evaluating demographics, disease states, number of doses needed of a filgrastim biosimilar over each treatment course.
Results: Data collection and analysis are in process and results will be reported in detail at the time of presentation.
Discussion/conclusion: Data collection and analysis are in process and conclusion/discussion will be reported in detail at the time of presentation.
References (must also be included in final poster): 1. Zarxio (filgrastim-sdnz) [prescribing information]. March 2015.
2. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Review and approval. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/review-and-approval
