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The Downside of Home Infusion of Biologics

August 14, 2020 7:00 am

N Giese-Kim et al. Am J Gastroenterol: July 22, 2020 – Volume Publish Ahead of Print – Issue – doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000750. Link to abstract:  Home Infliximab Infusions Are Associated With Suboptimal Outcomes Without Cost Savings in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

In this study, there were 27,396 patients with IBD (1,839 pediatric patients). Overall, 5.7% of patients used home infliximab infusions.

Results:

• Those with home infusions:
  •  more likely to be nonadherent compared with both office-based (22.2% vs 19.8%; P = .044) and hospital-based infusions (22.2% vs 21.2%; P < .001).
  • more likely to discontinue infliximab compared with office-based (44.7% vs 33.7%; P < .001) or hospital-based (44.7% vs 33.4%; P < .001) infusions.
• On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probabilities of remaining on infliximab by day 200 of therapy were 64.4%, 74.2%, and 79.3% for home-, hospital-, and office-based infusions, respectively (P < .001)
• Home infusions did not decrease overall annual care costs compared with office infusions ($49,149 vs $43,466, P < .001)

My take: In my experience, office-based infusions can be provided safely and in a cost-effective manner.  From the authors: “home infliximab infusions for patients with IBD were associated with suboptimal outcomes including higher rates of nonadherence and discontinuation of infliximab. Home infusions did not result in significant cost savings compared with office infusions.”

Related blog posts:

• How Do Home Infusions Stack Up?
• Pediatric Home and Office Biologic Infusions -What is Needed
• Infliximab infusions without premedication
• My first take: It is hard to save money at a Rolls Royce Dealership
• Orphan Drugs –Very Profitable (Humira is labelled an orphan drug!)
• NY Times: Humira’s Best-Selling Drug Formula: Start at a High Price. Go Higher.

Posted by gutsandgrowth

Categories: inflammatory bowel disease

Tags: home infusion, infliximab

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3 Responses to “The Downside of Home Infusion of Biologics”

1. If there isn’t a cost savings, why do insurance companies prefer in-home infusions?…..Unable to access article, was there data just for the pediatric subset? “N of One” never seen a compliance/adherence problem….often quite favorable response and feel more comfortable at home. Home infusions services like keeping business, they notify physicians when schedule is off?

   By Benjamin Enav on August 14, 2020 at 10:10 am

   1. In very limited experience, the communication with home infusion has not been as good as the other settings (particularly office).

      By gutsandgrowth on August 14, 2020 at 1:26 pm

2. […] The Downside of Home Infusion of Biologics […]

   By Favorite Posts of 2020 | gutsandgrowth on December 30, 2020 at 7:00 am

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