Response from TEVA re:copa

[Guest guest]

Some time back I had posted the Cochrane Database Reviews article

which examined all studies and concluded that Copaxone did not work.

I asked TEVA for comments. Unfortunately, I dont have access to post

files, so here are the main points. My comments are in CAPITALS.

- The review contradicts the American Acad of Neurolgy and NMSS

consensus statements.

- In the Cochrane reviews, all MS therapies are viewed favorably.

IF ONE IS CYNICAL, PERHAPS NONE OF THE DRUGS WORK

- The publication is from the U.K. where rationing of healthcare is

standard.

I THINK THE AUTHORS WERE FROM ITALY

-The review concludes that C did not substantially affect the risk

of clinical relapses, yet the data they present showed a

statistically significant decrease in the mean number of relapses at

1 yr, 2 yr and 35 months.

THIS ROUND GOES TO COPA

-The significant effect that c had on reducing hospitalizations and

steroid administration (p=0.02, p=0.0006) is incosistent with the

conclusion that C had little effect on relapses, as there were

approved protocols for the use of steroids for confirmed relapses

during trials.

THIS ROUND IN FAVOR OF COPA

- The review included 106/643 patients with CPMS, a condition where

C is not indicated.

-The authors did not discuss the results of the relapse free

survival data which found that the median time to relapse for C

treated patients could not be determined because more than 50 % of

those treated with C did not relapse in the 24 month study period.

For placebo the first relapse was in 5 months.

THIS ROUND GOES TO C

- Copa is approved by regulatory bodies in 50 countries. Each of the

review panel experts have concluded that C is effective for the

reduction of relapses in RRMS.

UNLESS THERE IS A WORLDWIDE CONSPIRACY, OR EVERYONE IS JUST SLEEPING

ON THE WHEEL, C IS EFFECTIVE ATLEAST IN SOME PATIENTS.

Yash