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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
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Evaluating use of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis using claims data.
Xiang Wang1, Fei-Li Zhao2, David Newby1
1School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Frontiers in Health Services
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Australia saw a 5-fold increase in patient numbers and a 4.5-fold rise in expenditure from 2010-2021. High-efficacy DMTs are increasingly used, showing longer persistence.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Services Research
- Neurology
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) management relies on disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).
- Understanding DMT utilization, cost, and switching patterns is crucial for healthcare policy and resource allocation in Australia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate trends in the utilization, cost, and switching patterns of DMTs for RRMS in Australia from 2010 to 2021.
- To analyze patient persistence and cost-effectiveness of different DMTs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of PBS claims data for 14 listed DMTs.
- Inclusion of 2,315 RRMS patients initiating DMTs between 2010 and 2021.
- Assessment of treatment uptake, switching behavior, patient persistence, dosage, and direct drug costs.
Main Results:
- A 5-fold increase in DMT utilization and a 4.5-fold rise in PBS expenditure for RRMS DMTs (2010-2021).
- Progressive shift towards high-efficacy (HE) DMTs over low-efficacy (LE) therapies for initiation and switching.
- Higher median treatment persistence for HE DMTs (25.5 months) compared to LE DMTs (20.8 months).
Conclusions:
- Rising expenditure driven by increased patient numbers, shift to HE therapies, and longer persistence.
- Identified higher-than-expected utilization of interferon beta-1a, impacting treatment costs.
- Claims data are valuable for post-market drug monitoring and informing healthcare policy for sustainable resource allocation.
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