5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  A study revealed that 54% of nAMD patients began treatment with low-cost compounded bevacizumab, but many switched to branded anti-VEGF agents.

• 2

  Switching from bevacizumab to other agents significantly increased drug-related expenditures, with costs rising from $700 to approximately $20,000 over three years.

• 3

  In a Medicare Advantage cohort, 70% of patients started with bevacizumab, and over half switched, primarily to aflibercept, reflecting similar trends in fee-for-service patients.

• 4

  The high switch rates from bevacizumab may be linked to concerns about its variable quality and inconsistent protein concentrations in compounded formulations.

• 5

  The FDA is evaluating an ophthalmic formulation of bevacizumab, which could provide consistent potency and potentially reduce the need for switching among patients.