OBJECTIVES:

The entry of copies of Fingolimod to treat multiple sclerosis represented a great savings of cost of the treatment of the patients that use this drug. The present work shows the increase of participation of Fingolimod copies in the context of social security in Argentina in the period between 2013 and 2017.

METHODS:

The trade union-run medical insurance that give treatment to multiple sclerosis patients can request economic reimbursement through a special fund for high-cost technologies, for which they must present purchase invoices for high-cost drugs. The study analyzes trade union-run medical insurance data on recoveries from January 2013 until December 2017, with a temporality of 2 years.

RESULTS:

The study collects evidence on 925 patients in the social security system that are treat with Fingolimod, 207 of which (22,4%) have switched the brand during the period under analysis. 183 patients (88,4%) have switched from original to copy, while 24 (11,6%) have changed between copies.

CONCLUSIONS:

Real world evidence data of patients treated for multiple sclerosis during the period 2013-2017 shows a strong tendency of switch from the original of Fingolimod to copies, representing a great saving of cost for the Social Security System.