Market Analysis of Parkinsons Disease - Essay Example

Market Analysis of Parkinson’s disease Introduction Parkinsons disease or PD is a persistent neurodegenerative disorder leading towards major abnormality that deteriorates quality of life of the sufferer to a great extent. (Lau, 234) After Alzheimer’s disease it is the second most prevailing neurodegenerative disease (Nussbaum and C.E. Ellis, 210) which causes a huge burden on the sufferer himself, his carers, family and the over all medical systems (Rubenstein, 305) Market Characteristics Its occurrence is seen in less than 50 years of age one out of seven patients, and the occurrence increases with the increase in age. At the moment there are approximately 4.1 million individuals are suffering with PD all over the world. Its prevalence in developed countries is just about 0.3%. (Breteler, 532) the percentage exceeds to one percent in individuals above sixty years that increases to three percent for individuals that are older than eighty years. (Huse, 1450) Within the USA, Parkinson’s disease affects nearly hundred to one hundred eighty individuals out of every 100,000 individuals and shows a yearly occurrence of four to twenty out of every 100,000 individuals. The prevalence of the disease increases with the rise in the aging of population. It has been estimated that there will be a rise in the occurrence of the disease in upcoming years; however its medical intrusions will participate to a great extent in combating with the extensive range of unmet requirements connected with the disorder. Statistics show a market of $5.9bn in the worldwide retailing of Parkinsons disease restorative therapeutics that is far more than the last year’s values which used to be $4.6bn. Incomes gained from the authorized Parkinsons disease remedies all over the world (in major countries like America, England and France) found out to be more than $2.2 billion in 2006. A rise of revenues that is equivalent to approximately $6.4bn is anticipated by the end of 2015. (Metz, 251) Due to advancement in the therapies a reduction in the number of deaths due to Parkinsons disease is expected in next five to ten years. The increase in the revenues is mainly due to the latest developments in drugs therapy that brings a reduction in the load of polypharmacy in individuals that are currently on the pharmacotherapy of the disease. A dynamic change in the market of Parkinson’s disease is expected mainly due to the leading therapeutics owned by the names like, GlaxoSmithKlines (GSKs), UCB-Schwarzs Neupro, Lundbeck’s Azilect and Teva etc. (Chrischilles, 410) This has also been observed that a huge portfolio for Parkinson’s disease is upheld by relatively less familiar pharmaceutical companies. Various studies revealed that the most functional therapies for the Parkinson’s disease have designed by companies like Acadia, Merck Serono and Avicena. Currently Available Treatments of the disease Dopamine As dopamine itself is unable to pass across the blood-brain barrier, the introduction of additional dopamine neurotransmitter into the bloodstream isnt an idyllic treatment. The current leading drug for the treatment of PD symptoms is Levodopa (or L-dopa), which although itself passes through the blood-brain barrier, transforms to dopamine quickly before reaching the brain. Consequently large amounts need to be taken, which is particularly detrimental when it is noted that it has significant side effects such as severe nausea, dizziness, possible liver damage and dyskinesias. The side effects of Levodopa can however, be mitigated by a major drug used in conjunction with it called Carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of Levodopa to dopamine, allowing a greater proportion to reach the brain and reducing the amount, which needs to be administered. The efficacy of the drug has been shown to improve when administered through intraduodenal or intravenous infusion. (Ellis, 41) This method, by increasing the amount of clinically available dopamine also decreases quantity of L-dopa needed, thus reducing the severity of side effects. (Huse, 510) Levodopa however fails to effectively treat PD symptoms in the more advanced stage of the disease, as more and more neurons are damaged, to the point that it said to "wear-off" entirely. Dopaminergic Agonists Dopamine Agonists are the most effective class of medication of drug after Levodopa. The advantage of their use is that they- The advantage of the use of Dopamine Agonists is that they act directly on dopamine receptors in the brain. These drugs are not as effective as Levodopa, but have a longer half-life in the body. (Nussbaum, 210) Anticholinergics MAO-B inhibitors (monamine oxidase type B) Carbidopa (Sinedet-commercial name) usually administered together with Levodopa, which inhibits enzymes which breaks down levodopa in the blood before it gets to the brain COM-t enzymes degrade levodopa (use COMT inhibitors as well as carbidopa-commercial name stalevo) reducing their anti-parkinsonian effects. As a result COMT inhibitors such as entacapone (inhibits peripherally) and tolcapone (inhibits peripherally and centrally) have been used to mediate medication usage and reduce "wearing off" of Levodopa. (Metz, 251) Catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) inhibitor can be used with patients who have end of dose wearing off symptoms Disadvantages of the Current Available Treatments Our brain is extremely multifarious organ, and due to this reason, it has become a major challenge for those working in pharmaceutical companies for the drug development practice. (Dragunow, 665) Up till today, none of the above mentioned treatments have proved to be completely neuro-protective for humans, besides tissue plasminogen activator, that works as a thrombolytic agent and does not affect neurons straightaway. Challenges and Upcoming Interventions Aim is to increase the availability of levodopa to the brain. This will increase the length of the clinical response. (Rubenstein, 310) However, Safinamide, with characteristics like multiple means of action and an elevated remedial profile, considered as the most enthusiastically observed upcoming intervention in the market for Parkinson’s disease. (Nussbaum, 209) The new upcoming therapeutics are not much different from the ones already present in the market in their approach towards meeting the unmet clinical requirements or in exhibiting extra ordinary results of their administration. Hence the scientific improvement landscape will remain same in its market. Obstacles to entry to the market That’s a fact that the market for Parkinsons disease is considered to be highly multifaceted and its significance differs in different countries. There are more patients in one country and some countries have no patient. Same is the case at clinical side, Parkinsons disease-specialist centers exist in a number of countries whereas some of them provide its treatment in any hospital. Hence, in order to improve its market, it needs proper planning at national level. Moreover, another complicated feature of the disease is its symptoms changes with very quickly, hence the time when a physician sees the patient, he/ she may look in good condition. In order to achieve desired outcomes and proper utilization of available resources, what is needed the most is, pharmaceutical industry must concentrate on drug administration strategies in order to maximize the quality of life of individuals at the same time as minimizing the further progression of the disease. This is only possible by bringing advancement to the therapies to cure motor signs and suggesting interventions for non-motor obstacles, for example depression, where suitable. Vulnerable groups must be given sufficient consideration so that their shift to costly institutional care can be delayed as much as possible. And those who are suffering with the disease currently must be treated cautiously in order to avoid further severity and elevated costs. References Chrischilles, Rubenstein, Voelker, R.B. Wallace and R.L. Rodnitzky, (2006) ‘The health burdens of Parkinsons disease’, Mov Disord, pp. 406–413. Dragunow. M, (2008) ‘The adult human brain in preclinical drug development’ Macmillan Publishers Limited, pg 665 Ellis. C. E, ‘Factors impacting on quality of life in Parkinsons disease’ Results from an international survey, (2007), pp. 40-56. Huse, Schulman, Orsini, Castelli-Haley, S. Kennedy and Lenhart, (2005) ‘Burden of illness in Parkinsons disease’, Mov Disord, pp. 500-526. Lau. L. M and M.M. Breteler, (2006) ‘Epidemiology of Parkinsons disease’, Lancet Neurol, pp. 525–535. Metz, D (2005) ‘Can the impact of ageing on health care costs be avoided? J Health Serv Res Policy pp. 249–252. Nussbaum. R. L (2003) ‘Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease’, N Engl J Med, pp. 200-214. Rubenstein. L.M, Chrischilles. E. A and Voelker, (2004) ‘The impact of Parkinsons disease on health status, health expenditures, and productivity. Estimates from the national medical expenditure survey’ Pharmacoeconomics, pp. 300-310. Read More