english.prescrire.org > Annual Prescrire Awards > The Prescrire Awards for 2021 > The Prescrire Drug Awards for 2021 > 2021 Drug Awards > Mabthera° or other brands (rituximab): on the Honours List at the 2021 Prescrire Drug Awards

The Prescrire Awards for 2021

The Prescrire Drug Awards for 2021

The Prescrire Drug Awards for 2021
Mabthera° or other brands (rituximab): on the Honours List at the 2021 Prescrire Drug Awards

Le Palmarès des Médicaments Drugs included on the Honours List constitute a clear advance for some patients compared with existing therapeutic options, albeit with limitations.

• MABTHERA° or other brands (rituximab) – Roche

In moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris in adults (Prescrire Int n° 226).

Rituximab in moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris: more patients achieve sustained remission.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare, potentially serious, and sometimes fatal, chronic autoimmune disease characterised by blistering and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes.

Rituximab (Mabthera° or other brands) was evaluated in this clinical situation in two comparative trials: in one trial, it was added to systemic corticosteroid therapy and compared with corticosteroid therapy alone; and in the other trial, it was compared with mycophenolate mofetil, an immunosuppressant sometimes used in this situation, in patients who were all receiving an oral corticosteroid. Rituximab increased the chances of achieving remission in both trials. In the trial of rituximab added to corticosteroid versus corticosteroid alone, the median duration of remission was 16 months in the rituximab group, versus 4 months in the other group. In the other trial, after one year of treatment, 40% of patients in the rituximab group had been in complete remission for at least 16 consecutive weeks, versus 9.5% in the mycophenolate mofetil group.

Rituximab's main adverse effects are infections, infusion reactions, hypersensitivity reactions, cardiac disorders, haematological disorders, interstitial lung disease and cancer.

Rituximab was awarded a place on the 2021 Honours List for its demonstrated efficacy in pemphigus vulgaris.

A Pilule d'Or (Golden Pill) is granted to drugs that represent a major therapeutic advance in a field in which no treatment was previously available. Drugs included on the Honours List constitute a clear advance for some patients compared with existing therapeutic options, albeit with limitations. Drugs deemed "Noteworthy" provide a modest improvement in patient care.
SEE: > About the Prescrire Drug Awards for 2021

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> The Prescrire Drug Awards for 2021


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 FREE  "The Prescrire Awards for 2021" Prescrire International 2022; 31 (235): 79-82. (pdf, free)

 

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