Why Otezla???

[anonymous]

My rheumatologist gave me Otezla as well. He just kept me stocked up with samples for about 6 months until my insurance finally approved it.

As for the product, I have more energy and my fingers don't hurt at all anymore. I have no side effects at all.

As for insurance, they are without shame. They fought me the entire time. If it weren't for the samples I wouldn't have made it.

Glad I am on it now but I worry every year when we do open enrollment that something is going to change and I am going to have to fight insurance all over again to stay on my drugs.

Something fishy is going on. How can they force me to take a product that I have to jab in my belly and have liver testing for over a product that I swallow with some milk and forget about it?

 

[anonymous]

I thought I was watching TV at 2:00 am when all the stupid infomercials were on. "Jab in my belly & liver tests, blah, blah, blah."

This drug is shit and every rep knows it. It sells bc pts don't like needles & GREAT commercials, that's it.

 

[anonymous]

This product sells for one reason and one reason ONLY:

the quality of the sales force

 

[anonymous]

And best in class NAMs

 

[anonymous]

Outsider who gets a kick out of several dermatology boards but I'll say this.

The product is SAFE. That's all you have. You have produced ZERO managed care access anywhere in the nation. ZERO. You have produced ZERO trade wins. NONE. You have produced ZERO GPO wins. NADA.

Safe is nice but to sell the units you have sold, the sales force must be pretty stacked with talent.

 

[anonymous]

My rheumatologist gave me Otezla as well. He just kept me stocked up with samples for about 6 months until my insurance finally approved it.

As for the product, I have more energy and my fingers don't hurt at all anymore. I have no side effects at all.

As for insurance, they are without shame. They fought me the entire time. If it weren't for the samples I wouldn't have made it.

Glad I am on it now but I worry every year when we do open enrollment that something is going to change and I am going to have to fight insurance all over again to stay on my drugs.

Something fishy is going on. How can they force me to take a product that I have to jab in my belly and have liver testing for over a product that I swallow with some milk and forget about it?

Been on CP since its inception, NEVER seen so many patients post= total bullshit posts. You guys are fucking ridiculous

 

[anonymous]

Been on CP since its inception, NEVER seen so many patients post= total bullshit posts. You guys are fucking ridiculous

hurts doesn't it little fella? still stings?

 

[anonymous]

thinking about coming on board. Very suspicious about the efficacy of otezla. The sales $$$ seem to paint a different picture than the doom and gloom "lack of efficacy" argument.

Additional input is appreciated, if there is any

 

[anonymous]

The efficacy argument is based upon 16 week endpoints but MDs don't listen to PIs - they listen to their peers at the Congresses where a landslide of data shows that although APR works slower than biologics, there is no statistical difference in efficacy after week 24. Then from week 24 until forever the patient gets no needles jabbed into flesh, no needles jabbed in to arms for liver testing, no cancers, no yeast infections, no respiratory tract infections, no CNS side effects, no blood poisoning, no cardiac death, etc. One of of five does get some lose stools the first 5-10 days and some may lose weight. 1.0% vs 0.8% "reported" depression.

Efficacy is not a question with MDs. The competition hits that all the time and it's only made MDs suspicious of their grasp.

The only issue selling Otezla is the piss poor coverage. It's double step edited in every single life I sell to. Every single one. The managed care effort is kindergarten from the highest level down to the managed care rep. They were fooled by their success in myeloma and thought they were skilled. No clue how to compete in this market. So if you can adjust your selling to sell a product that's never easy to get, this is fun place and you can bank some coin. If not, stay away.

Oh, and you have to be prepared for the whiners who think their territory is too small. Wimps. Go sell a 6th in class at a big pharma then and quit whining here.

If you find a job where your sales are based upon a quota, you will find over time a sales force devoid of its stars.

 

[anonymous]

The efficacy argument is based upon 16 week endpoints but MDs don't listen to PIs - they listen to their peers at the Congresses where a landslide of data shows that although APR works slower than biologics, there is no statistical difference in efficacy after week 24. Then from week 24 until forever the patient gets no needles jabbed into flesh, no needles jabbed in to arms for liver testing, no cancers, no yeast infections, no respiratory tract infections, no CNS side effects, no blood poisoning, no cardiac death, etc. One of of five does get some lose stools the first 5-10 days and some may lose weight. 1.0% vs 0.8% "reported" depression.

Efficacy is not a question with MDs. The competition hits that all the time and it's only made MDs suspicious of their grasp.

The only issue selling Otezla is the piss poor coverage. It's double step edited in every single life I sell to. Every single one. The managed care effort is kindergarten from the highest level down to the managed care rep. They were fooled by their success in myeloma and thought they were skilled. No clue how to compete in this market. So if you can adjust your selling to sell a product that's never easy to get, this is fun place and you can bank some coin. If not, stay away.

Oh, and you have to be prepared for the whiners who think their territory is too small. Wimps. Go sell a 6th in class at a big pharma then and quit whining here.

If you find a job where your sales are based upon a quota, you will find over time a sales force devoid of its stars.

This is the best feed back so far about otezla... Last question, if you're in the top third, where would your quarter bonus be? In rheumatology? In Derm? Force ranked, right?

 

[anonymous]

forced rank
Top third in derm for both bonus and prescriber report equals around $75k/yr

 

[anonymous]

Can someone help me out why otezla is beneficial to a patient?
I am currently taking humira (a shot every two weeks, not painful at all). I have united health commercial insurance w $3000 deductible . Their copay card waived my deductible and my copay is $5 each month. I am not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to see why someone like me might go w pills that are twice daily?

 

[anonymous]

I believe it is because some people are adverse to regular injections. Humira has been on the market for 10 years hence lower costs. Otezla is a brand new drug

 

[anonymous]

I believe it is because some people are adverse to regular injections. Humira has been on the market for 10 years hence lower costs. Otezla is a brand new drug

Humira is not lower in cost despite being on the market all this time. In fact, it costs about $14,000 more a year than Otezla. Doesn't matter thought, because patients don't pay. Employers pay. Humira pays PBMs to keep access to newer, safer products difficult so they can keep their cash cow churning. Nothing wrong with that.

Celgene needs to get their dicks outta their hands and win some managed care access or I am selling this stock.

 

[anonymous]

Nothing wrong with that DBag?? Forcing patients on more expense and riskier black box products with cancer risks is bad medicine, Abbie and PBMs will be exposed for their greed soon

 

[anonymous]

Can someone help me out why otezla is beneficial to a patient?
I am currently taking humira (a shot every two weeks, not painful at all). I have united health commercial insurance w $3000 deductible . Their copay card waived my deductible and my copay is $5 each month. I am not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to see why someone like me might go w pills that are twice daily?

If something is working, I’d stick with it. A lot of times it will eventually stop working and you will have another option to switch to. I couldn’t do Humira because I kept getting infections. Just started Otezla, so I can’t say if it’s better or not.

 

[anonymous]

Same black box worries with MTX and it makes you feel worse and doesn't work as well as the biologics. If I am going to take on the risks, I'd rather take a biologic. Personally, I'd prefer a fully humanized one, but Humira would be ok.

Rheums write it because the payer makes them, not cause they want to.

First, do not harm.

If you need to, the TNFs will be there. If not, why take the risk? Because you like needles?

 

[anonymous]

If something is working, I’d stick with it. A lot of times it will eventually stop working and you will have another option to switch to. I couldn’t do Humira because I kept getting infections. Just started Otezla, so I can’t say if it’s better or not.

So is this drug better and more effective?

 

[anonymous]

So is this drug better and more effective?

better? no
more effective no

safest? Far and away

risk/benefit profile? Best out there

You can get better/more effective but there's a trade off.

I'd suggest first altering your diet to load up on anti-inflammatory food. Next cut all the pro-inflammatory foods. Then eat smaller portions. Then get out and move your body. Don't run, but walk or do yoga or garden or something, but move.

It's best if you can get by without taking any of these meds as they all have Side Effects you'd rather not have. If you have to take them, then hope you can take Otezla and manage the GI for the first week. It's long term safety is the best. Then, if you have to progress, you have options.

 

[anonymous]

better? no
more effective no

safest? Far and away

risk/benefit profile? Best out there

You can get better/more effective but there's a trade off.

I'd suggest first altering your diet to load up on anti-inflammatory food. Next cut all the pro-inflammatory foods. Then eat smaller portions. Then get out and move your body. Don't run, but walk or do yoga or garden or something, but move.

It's best if you can get by without taking any of these meds as they all have Side Effects you'd rather not have. If you have to take them, then hope you can take Otezla and manage the GI for the first week. It's long term safety is the best. Then, if you have to progress, you have options.

Agree having a great option is key. This drug is worth a try.