Claudia Leteneux

Ranibizumab prefilled syringes: benefits of reduced syringe preparation times and less complex preparation procedures.

Purpose A recently developed ranibizumab prefilled syringe (PFS) eliminates several preparatory steps versus the standard vial-based method, and is expected to reduce syringe preparation time (SPT) and enhance procedural simplicity for intravitreal injections. Methods Syringe preparation times for the ranibizumab PFS and vial were recorded during standard treatment sessions at 2 centers, without randomization. The duration of each step in preparing the syringe was recorded. At each center, total SPT (mean total duration of all syringe preparation steps) for each method was compared using a 2-tailed t test. Results In total, 97 SPTs were analyzed across both centers. Center 1 SPTs were 46 seconds (PFS) versus 75 seconds (vial; difference, 29 seconds; p<0.001). Center 2 SPTs were 46 seconds (PFS) versus 63 seconds (vial; difference, 17 seconds; p<0.001). This equates to a 27%-39% reduction in SPT when using the PFS rather than the vial, resulting mostly from the reduced number of syringe preparation steps associated with the PFS. Conclusions Syringe preparation times for ranibizumab intravitreal injections are significantly shorter with the PFS than with the vial. The time saved by using the PFS may benefit physicians and nurses, and the simplicity of the injection preparation process with the PFS is advantageous.

Hepatitis C virus in Asia: utility values based on the Short Form-36 questionnaire.

Utility data are important in Asia, where the need for health economic evaluations is growing. A literature review was conducted across international and local bibliographical databases in four languages to evaluate the utilities for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in Asia. The results showed a lack of research on the humanistic burden of CHC in Asia. Using mapping, the estimated utilities for CHC patients in Asia ranged between 0.68 and 0.86. The utilities of CHC patients were lower than that of healthy controls, with the differences ranging between 0.032 and 0.261 units. On-treatment utility values declined by 0.07–0.13 units for subjects without sustained virological response and by 0.03–0.06 units for sustained virological response subjects. The results provide empirical data on utility values among CHC patients in Asia that can be used in future cost–effectiveness analysis or health technology assessment.