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Evaluation of the off‐label usage of rituximab in a large teaching hospital in New South Wales
Author(s) -
Sharma R.,
Koller L.,
Barclay P.,
Liddle C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01406.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rituximab , dosing , regimen , intensive care medicine , retrospective cohort study , pediatrics , lymphoma
A retrospective review of patients receiving rituximab off label in a large teaching hospital was conducted between July 2002 and January 2006. The indication, dosing regimen, efficacy and cost of rituximab were evaluated. Rituximab was prescribed for three clinical indications; acute organ transplant rejection, post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease and autoimmune disease. On average, 600 mg of rituximab was prescribed weekly for 4 weeks, costing the hospital $108 739.37. We suggest an initial approval for a limited number of doses with subsequent approval dependent on improvement in predefined clinical or biochemical end‐points. Furthermore, we suggest an Australia‐wide central database be established to enable delineation of the optimal dosing schedule, as well as monitoring of clinical outcome.