Semaglutide versus tirzepatide for people with type 2 diabetes: cost of glycemic control in Austria, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVES: The glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist semaglutide and the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide tirzepatide have proven to significantly reduce glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the costs needed to achieve a sustained decrease in HbA1c level and disease control with semaglutide and tirzepatide, respectively, are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the cost of treatment with semaglutide with the cost of treatment with tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes in Austria, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates in order to determine their respective value for money. METHODS: The primary outcome of this analysis was the cost in euros needed to achieve disease control in one person with type 2 diabetes based on the composite endpoint of HbA1c <7%, ≥5% weight loss, and no hypoglycemic events. In addition, analyses regarding the cost needed to reach relevant HbA1c endpoints were performed. Clinical data were obtained from the SURPASS 2 trial, registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03987919), and drug cost was based on wholesale acquisition cost or pharmacy purchase prices from public domains obtained in Q1 of 2023. RESULTS: The cost needed to achieve disease control in one person with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c <7%, ≥5% weight loss, and no hypoglycemic events) was up to three times lower using semaglutide compared with all three doses of tirzepatide in most markets. In the HbA1c analyses, semaglutide was also found to be the least expensive treatment option. CONCLUSION: Semaglutide provides better value for money than tirzepatide for HbA1c-lowering endpoints.

Nursing Care Plan for a Newborn with the Defect of Congenital Gastroschisis in the Postoperative Period Using ICNPTM and the Dedicated Software.

BACKGROUND: Congenital defect gastroschisis manifests as a defect in the sheath in the intestine of the newborn, which is not covered by the hernia sac. In this case, the priority task of the neonatal nurse is to diagnose patient care problems quickly and accurately. Choosing the correct care plan elements has a significant impact on shortening the duration of hospitalization, reducing the number and severity of complications, and preventing their recurrence. The purpose of this study was to formulate a care plan for a newborn with diagnosed congenital defect gastroschisis in the postoperative period, using the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNPTM) within the nursing documentation and decision support system, the "ADPIECare Dorothea" software. METHODS: After a review of the relevant literature and nursing documentation, a case study of a newborn with the congenital defect gastroschisis was described. A care plan was prepared using ICNP and the "ADPIECare" software. RESULTS: It was possible to organize and standardize care plans to provide consistent and comprehensive professional nursing care. The system supporting nursing decisions suggested interventions personalized for the nursing diagnoses and to the patient needs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings can help to optimize the nurse's work organization to improve health care quality, outcomes, and effectiveness.

The Impact of Introducing Successive Biosimilars on Changes in Prices of Adalimumab, Infliximab, and Trastuzumab-Polish Experiences.

Biosimilars are cheaper than original drugs and are thus of interest to the public. The aim of this article is to assess the benefits of introducing more than one biosimilar for the same substance (active pharmaceutical ingredient, API). The hypothesis is that the introduction of successive biosimilars of a specific original drug reduces the price of the selected API. The study focuses on drug prices varying with the successive arrival of new biosimilars. Three drugs that have at least three reimbursed biosimilars on the market were selected, two from the same therapeutic group (adalimumab and infliximab) and one (trastuzumab) representing another class of drugs. The following data were analyzed: price variation after the introduction of the first, second, and third biosimilar, and the average price reduction for all three biosimilars. Additionally, a literature review was conducted. The reimbursement of each new biosimilar is beneficial since it is associated with a price reduction in percentage terms. However, the first biosimilar brought about the greatest savings due to the higher initial prices of the original drugs and to Polish reimbursement rules. This article is helpful for when taking healthcare decisions regarding the pricing of and reimbursement for new biosimilars.