| Return Create A Forum - Home | |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | |
| MS Speaks | |
| https://msspeaks.createaforum.com | |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | |
| ***************************************************** | |
| Return to: BETASERON (interferon beta-1b, Betaferon, Extavia) | |
| ***************************************************** | |
| #Post#: 948-------------------------------------------------- | |
| (MSAA) Electronic autoinjector approved for Betaseron | |
| By: agate Date: September 28, 2015, 7:47 pm | |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | |
| From the MSAA news update, September 28, 2015: | |
| [quote]Electronic Autoinjector Approved for Betaseron | |
| On September 25, 2015, the United States Food and Drug | |
| Administration (FDA) approved Betaconnect, an electronic | |
| autoinjector for use with Betaseron� (interferon beta-1b), an | |
| approved disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for the treatment of | |
| relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although other | |
| autoinjectors are available to help with the administration of | |
| self-injected medications, this is the first electronic | |
| autoinjector to be approved by the FDA for a medication used in | |
| the long-term treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Marketed by | |
| parent company Bayer HealthCare, this device will be available | |
| in early 2016. | |
| Betaseron is given via subcutaneous (under the skin) | |
| self-injections every other day. According to Bayer HealthCare, | |
| the electronic autoinjector was developed based on feedback from | |
| individuals with MS and their caregivers. The features of this | |
| new device include: | |
| ~customizable injection speed and depth settings that allow | |
| individuals to inject quietly and with precision at the touch of | |
| a button | |
| ~optional back-up reminder function to alert those using this | |
| device that it�s time for their next injection | |
| ~automatic needle insertion and retraction | |
| ~visual and audio end-of-dose indication to confirm when the | |
| injection is complete | |
| Bayer HealthCare states that after completing the preparation of | |
| Betaseron, individuals may use Betaconnect, but this should only | |
| be done with the syringes provided in the Betaseron packaging. | |
| They also caution that those using Betaconnect should speak to a | |
| healthcare provider or nurse before making any changes to their | |
| injection depth or speed settings. | |
| MSAA President and CEO Doug Franklin explains, �Providing new | |
| options to assist with the administration of an MS medication is | |
| important. When ease and comfort are increased, and reminders | |
| are given when the next dose is due, individuals may be better | |
| able to stay on course with their treatment plan.� | |
| For those taking a disease-modifying therapy for the long-term | |
| treatment of MS, research shows that adhering to one�s treatment | |
| regimen is critical to experiencing the best health outcomes. | |
| The approval of Betaconnect, as well as any device or method | |
| that enables individuals to stay on their prescribed treatment | |
| with fewer interruptions, is greatly welcomed by the MS | |
| community. | |
| For more information or to speak with a trained Client Services | |
| Specialist, please call MSAA's Helpline at (800) 532-7667, | |
| extension 154. Questions to MSAA's Client Services department | |
| may also be emailed to [email protected]. | |
| _______________________ | |
| Written by Susan Wells Courtney, MSAA Senior Writer and Creative | |
| Director | |
| Reviewed by Jack Burks, MD, MSAA Chief Medical Officer[/quote] | |
| ***************************************************** |