“This study showed that treatment with AVONEX leads to fewer injection site reactions which is an important factor in improving compliance. As the only once-weekly injection treatment, AVONEX offers people with relapsing MS an easy-to-use and highly effective treatment option,” said Dr. Karsten Beer, lead investigator for the study and private neurologist in Wil, Switzerland. “Convenience of an MS therapy is an important consideration for patients, as they do not want a therapy that will interfere with their daily lives.”

The Swiss MS Skin Project was designed to determine the frequency of injection site reactions, including skin necrosis and lipoatrophy, in patients taking AVONEX, Betaferon, Copaxone, or Rebif (ABCRs). These data are important as ISRs are thought to reduce treatment compliance among patients. The study enrolled nearly 500 patients on ABCRs for a minimum of two years (mean treatment duration of 5.9 years) and followed patients for a total of one year. Study findings include:
- At the first assessment, significantly fewer AVONEX patients experienced ISRs (13.4% vs 57.7% for Betaferon [p < .0001], 30.4% for Copaxone [p = 0.056], 67.9% for Rebif [p < 0.001]), necrosis (0.0% vs 5.7% for Betaferon [p = 0.0279],  0.0% for Copaxone [p = NS], 6.0% for Rebif [p = 0.0201]) and lipoatrophy (1.2 % vs 8.9% for Betaferon [p = 0.0210], 13.0% for Copaxone [p = 0.0322], 10.3% for Rebif [p = 0.0093]);
- No AVONEX patients missed a dose in the four weeks prior to first assessment due to ISRs (vs 5.7% for Betaferon [p = 0.44], 4.3% for Copaxone [p = NS], and 7.1% for Rebif [p = 0.011]). These percentages were statistically significant versus Betaferon and Rebif; and
- Significantly more patients remained on AVONEX over the one year trial (86.6% vs 79.7% for Betaferon, 60.9% for Copaxone, and 83.2% for Rebif [overall p = 0.0364]) than any other treatment.

View full post here: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/msl-fis091009.php

At Bayer, we’re working hard to make BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) more affordable—especially in these challenging economic times. We’re continually evolving our programs and services to respond to the ever-changing needs of those taking BETASERON.

BETAPLUS™—the patient support program rated #1 by people living with MS*—helps remove “cost” as a barrier to starting treatment and offers MS-trained BETA Nurse support any time, day or night to help people stay on BETASERON treatment.

Our goal is to help people make the most of their therapy by helping them to stay on it continuously. Remaining on BETASERON, every other day as prescribed by healthcare providers, is essential to helping people on BETASERON to manage their MS.

And our latest benefit, offered exclusively through BETAPLUS, demonstrates Bayer’s ongoing commitment to helping people stay on BETASERON:
NEW: The 11th prescription copay will be COMPLETELY refunded—up to $500†–for people taking BETASERON
When people take BETASERON for 11 consecutive months and send us their prescription receipts, we’ll completely refund the full amount of their 11th prescription copay—up to $500†. We know it isn’t always easy to stay on therapy, but we know how important it is. BETAPLUS is here to help give support to those on BETASERON—helping them to stay on the right path.

This new offering is just one of many BETAPLUS benefits people living with MS can access. The choice is theirs:

* A monthly copay‡ offering to help make BETASERON more affordable. And unlike other copay programs, they can take advantage of the savings every month for as long as they’re on BETASERON therapy
* Access Specialists who work with insurance or managed care companies to help get coverage for BETASERON
* One-on-one injection training and retraining (as needed) in their home§ or in their healthcare team’s office
* Regular follow-up calls by an MS-trained BETA Nurse specifically assigned to help those on BETASERON start and stay on therapy
* MS-trained BETA Nurses available at 1-800-788-1467 any time, day or night—including weekends and holidays
* Injection Reminder Emails
* Educational programs available online, on demand
* Peer Mentors—other people living with MS and on BETASERON—who can provide emotional support along the way. A BETA Nurse is also available during these calls to help answer health-related questions.

People on BETASERON therapy can find out more about this NEW offer or any of the BETAPLUS services by going to http://www.betaseron.com/patients/about_betaseron/reimbursement_support.jsp or by calling 1-800-788-1467. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia North at 973-317-5540. BETAPLUS has resources available to help make living well with MS both affordable and achievable.

**In an independent study, BETAPLUS (formerly known as MS Pathways) was rated higher on how valuable it is to people living with MS compared with other MS support program

† Must be on BETASERON for 11 consecutive months and provide pharmacy copay receipts in order to receive your payment. See Terms and Conditions in the refund materials. Bayer reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this offer at any time without notice.

‡Some restrictions apply. Patients who are enrolled in any type of government insurance are not eligible. Void where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted. Patients enrolled in Bayer’s Patient Assistance Program are not eligible.

§Where state laws and insurance allow.

View full article here: http://www.mscare.org/cmsc/Informs-BETAPLUS-Cover-Copay.html

March 4, 2009

As part of its Betaplus patient support program, Bayer will refund a single copay for those who take Betaseron for 11 consecutive months.

Under the new benefit, people who send in their prescription receipts for Betaseron will be refunded the copay for their 11th month of use of the drug, up to $500.

The Betaplus program also has other options to save patients money, including monthly co-pay assistance for as long as a person is on Betaseron therapy and specialists who may be able to help obtain insurance coverage of the drug.

The Betaplus program also offers access to MS nurses, email reminders about injection days, one-on-one injection training, and calls from peer mentors.

For more information about the copay refund or other Betaplus programs, call 1-800-788-1467 or visit www.betaseron.com.

View entire article here: http://www.msfocus.org/online_newsDetails.php?ID=262