Analysis of romosozumab for osteoporosis, February 2024
Page last updated: 19 July 2024
Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
To review the utilisation of romosozumab for severe established osteoporosis as well as medicines for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Romosozumab was first PBS-listed for the treatment of severe osteoporosis in patients who have experienced a prior fracture while on anti-resorptive therapy on 1 April 2021.
Data Source / methodology
Data extracted from the PBS database maintained by Department of Health and Aged Care, processed by Services Australia were used for the analyses.
Key Findings
- In 2022, 725,017 patients were supplied 2,256,178 prescriptions for the treatment of osteoporosis.
- In 2021, 688,642 patients were supplied 2,215,894 prescriptions for the treatment of osteoporosis.
- Overall, patients were most commonly treated with denosumab.
- Utilisation of romosozumab was different from estimated. In its first year of listing, 705 patients were supplied 3,977 romosozumab prescriptions. In its second year of listing, 1,516 patients were supplied 8,739 prescriptions.
- Only 49% patients were identified to have successfully transitioned to an anti-resorptive after stopping treatment with romosozumab.
