- VIRACEPT(R) Most Frequently Selected Protease Inhibitor -
CHICAGO, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new survey assessing physicians'
experience with HIV resistance, 71% of physicians who initiate therapy with a
protease inhibitor (PI) chose a single PI over a dual PI, reserving use of
dual PIs for future therapy. Among those choosing a single PI, 63% selected
Viracept (nelfinavir), 18% Crixivan(R) (indinavir), 4% Norvir(R) (ritonavir),
4% Fortovase/Invirase(R) (saquinavir), 1% Kaletra(TM) (lopinavir/ritonavir)
and 1% Agenerase(R) (amprenavir).
The survey, conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, Inc., comprised 300
physicians who had written at least twenty-two prescriptions for HIV
medications in the past month and treat an average of 120 patients. Half of
the physicians surveyed were board certified in infectious diseases and half
were primary care physicians.
Physicians reported that 33% of their patients experienced resistance
after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Resistance is considered one of
the leading causes of treatment failure among people living with HIV.
Resistance in HIV therapy is defined as the virus' failure to respond
following treatment and its subsequent active replication, or reproduction, of
itself. Drug resistance may develop for a variety of reasons based on
individual responses to specific drug therapies.
When asked about preserving future treatment options, Viracept was the
most frequently mentioned PI, cited by 21% of the physicians as allowing their
patients more salvage therapy options should resistance develop. This
response was three times greater than mention of any other protease inhibitor
by the physicians participating in the survey.
"When used first line, Viracept may afford patients and physicians
subsequent treatment options based on its unique resistance profile," said
Frank Palella, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases,
Northwestern University Medical School. "Proper sequencing of initial and
salvage therapy is particularly important for patients and physicians with
limited options."
Currently Prescribed Regimens
On average, physicians reported that 35% of their patients, the largest
segment of their practice, received a single PI combination, compared to 18%
who received a single non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-
based combination and 12% who received a triple nucleoside analogue (NRTI)
combination.
Among the physicians who choose single PI combinations as first-line
therapy, 30% cited drug tolerability as the reason for selecting a particular
single PI; 21% chose a drug based on its resistance profile; and 26% selected
a drug for its efficacy. Among physicians who initiated therapy with a single
NNRTI, 35% based their choice on efficacy; 29% selected for adherence; and 26%
for tolerability. Only 2% of those surveyed indicated that they chose a
particular NNRTI for its resistance profile.
Late Stage Therapy Options
When asked about therapeutic options most likely to be prescribed for
patients who initiated single PI therapy and subsequently developed
resistance, 31% of the physicians responded that they prescribe dual PIs while
38% prefer dual PIs plus NNRTI. Among patients who initiated single NNRTI
therapy and later developed resistance, 33% of the physicians said that they
chose a single PI for subsequent therapy, while 51% prefer a dual PI regimen.
The telephone-administered survey was conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide
during January 2001. The survey sample was obtained from National Data
Corporation Health Information Services, which tracks prescriptions from
terminals at 34,000 pharmacies nationwide. The data collected at the terminal
is cross-referenced to the American Medical Association database to provide
descriptive information on every sample physician including name, telephone
number and specialty. The survey was sponsored by Agouron Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Pfizer Company (NYSE: PFE), is committed
to the discovery, development, and marketing of innovative therapeutic
products engineered to inactivate proteins that play key roles in cancer,
AIDS, and other serious diseases. Agouron employs more than 1400 people of
whom approximately 850 are engaged in research and development.
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading
prescription medicines, for humans and animals, and many of the world's best
known consumer products. Pfizer had global revenues of $29.6 billion in 2000.
Pfizer plans to make a research and development investment of about $5 billion
in 2001.
Agenerase(R) is a registered trademark of Glaxo-Wellcome Inc.
Crixivan(R) is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
Fortovase(R) is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories, Inc.
Kaletra(R) is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories.
Norvir(R) is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories.
Viracept(R) is a registered trademark of Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
SOURCE Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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http://www.agouron.com
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/019650.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 019650
CONTACT:
Kim Simon of Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
619-871-2800 (USA mobile), or 858-622-3017 (La Jolla, CA); or
Michael Fagan of Chandler Chicco Agency, 917-882-4538 (USA
mobile), or 212-229-8422 (New York), for Agouron Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
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