Regarding BIOX,
We have been using similar products at our hospital for a little while now. The product we are using though has a much lower molecular weight than BIOX's product so it is probably not as good. However, both of these drugs are not cures for arthritis. Most patients with arthritis, especially those with only mild to moderate severity do experience a good amount of pain relief after the injections. The injections, though, do not reverse the process, nor is there much evidence to show that is slows the progression of the disease itself. Arthritis involves changes to the bone structure itself in the moderate and severe cases and nothing, short of surgical intervention will change the shape and contour of the boney changes that result. Also, when the cartilage is lost, it is lost, period... nothing at present, including the Carticel technology and Hyaluronic Acid will change that in cases of generalized changes secondary to arthritis.
So, that said, I believe that the use of this product will increase dramatically in the coming year or so... why? Orthopaedists rely alot upon referrals from Rheumatologists for patients who need total joint replacements. In the past, the rheum. docs could only perscribe Motrin and the like and as the disease progressed and these meds didn't work any longer they had to send the patients to us... which by the way they are usually reluctant to do. So, now with this stuff on the market they are likely to be BIG TIME supporters of its use prior to sending the patients for orthopaedic intervention. Also, as patients start to hear about this product they will ask for it and in many cases DEMAND it, so the use by orthopods is likely to increase as well.
All this must be tempered by the cost (I believe 3-5K for a 5 week course of therapy) and the fact that the HMO's are NOT going to pay for this until there is proven long-term benefit over current treatment methodologies. Some series reporting their results show ONLY 5% better results than results obtained for Motrin and Naprosyn. So, the jury is still out on the LONG term results and the LONG term acceptance in the USA by the docs and the HMO's alike.
Sorry I babbled so much, but hope I shed a little light on the subject
Howard |
