Diffusion of interferon beta in Iran and its utilization in Tehran.
OBJECTIVE
There are few studies on the diffusion of expensive new therapies in low- or middle-income countries. The objectives of this study were to describe the diffusion of interferon beta for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran and to analyze its use in a cohort of 890 patients in Tehran registered in the Iranian MS Society (IMSS) registry.


METHODS
Data on the diffusion of interferon beta drugs from 2000 to 2004 in Iran were obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Data on the utilization of interferon beta in selected patient groups were collected from routine clinical data of the IMSS in a sample of population in Tehran province from 2003 to 2005.


RESULTS
Interferon beta had a rapid diffusion in Iran during the study period, and it was used in all 28 provinces in 2004, however, much less in the poor provinces. Interestingly, interferon beta was prescribed to 68% of the patients in Tehran registered in the IMSS registry during 2003-2005. The usage of interferon beta as registered in the IMSS was higher (p < 0.0001) among insured than uninsured patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of interferon beta treatment has grown considerably in Iran. In Tehran, interferon beta seems to be mainly used by young ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting MS, indicating a rational drug use.
Division of International Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. mohammad.palesh@ki.se
Mohammad
M
Palesh
Pia Maria
PM
Jonsson
Hamidreza
H
Jamshidi
Björn
B
Wettermark
Göran
G
Tomson
Sten
S
Fredrikson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000639:trends; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D016899:Interferon-beta