IGG America http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/ en-us IGG America Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:52:56 GMT newtelligence dasBlog 1.8.5223.2 info@iggamerica.com info@iggamerica.com http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=2362f789-2c64-4e99-8837-1b8a6f202510 http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,2362f789-2c64-4e99-8837-1b8a6f202510.aspx myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) Why is there an IVIg shortage? http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,2362f789-2c64-4e99-8837-1b8a6f202510.aspx http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,2362f789-2c64-4e99-8837-1b8a6f202510.aspx Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:52:56 GMT <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Why is there an IVIg shortage?<o:p></o:p> </font></font></span></b> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </span></b> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Immune globulin (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">also known as IVIg, IGIV, or IgG</i>) is a plasma derived product prescribed to treat various immune deficient and autoimmune diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Over the past several years, many patients, physician practices, and hospitals have experienced difficulties acquiring IVIg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Several factors have contributed to this shortage situation:</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font color=#000000>Industry consolidation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> <o:p></o:p> </font></span></b></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />In 2002, there were five IVIg manufacturers based in the <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> </st1:place> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Today, there are three.</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font color=#000000>Worldwide shortage of raw (donated) blood plasma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> <o:p></o:p> </font></span></b></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>IVIg is extracted from plasma through a manufacturing process</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>called “fractionation”. </font></font></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font color=#000000>Health insurance payments to providers (home health companies, physicians, hospitals) have significantly decreased in recent years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> <o:p></o:p> </font></span></b></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Reimbursement reductions, particularly by Medicare, have created </font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>scenarios whereby providers cannot cover their costs for administering IVIg treatments to patients.</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000>-<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font color=#000000>Most IVIg products/brands have been on allocation since<o:p></o:p> </font></span></b></font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">2004.<o:p></o:p> </font></font></span></b> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>This means that providers can only acquire a specific amount of IVIg each month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Once the monthly allocation has been dispensed, it can be difficult to secure additional IVIg for patients.</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">What can you do to ensure access to IVIg treatments in the future?<o:p></o:p> </font></font></span></b> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </span></b> </p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1> <li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>If you are currently receiving IVIg treatments, contact your provider and inquire about their IVIg capabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Are they receiving an allocation for IVIg?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>What brand(s) of IVIg can they provide?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Do they carry an inventory of IVIg products in case they run into allocation issues?</font> </li> </ol> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1 start=2> <li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>If you are contemplating IVIg treatments, identify providers that will commit to supplying your IVIg needs on an ongoing basis. Remember, providers are on allocation for IVIg and many will only be able to guarantee IVIg on a month-to-month basis.</font> </li> </ol> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=1 start=3> <li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Understand your health insurance coverage policy on IVIg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Insurance coverage can vary: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>based on your diagnosis; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>the dollar amount reimbursed by the insurance company; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>and the approved location (home, physician’s office, or hospital outpatient center) for your IVIg treatments.</font> </li> </ol> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>If you have any additional IVIg-related questions, please call 1.877.674.9700</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>or visit </font><a href="http://www.iggamerica.com/"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>www.iggamerica.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>.</font> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </span></b> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p> <font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font> </o:p> </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> News http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=c31a49d7-f346-47ed-8cc8-91437c07f2ac http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,c31a49d7-f346-47ed-8cc8-91437c07f2ac.aspx myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!)

Updates to follow soon

Welcome to the IgG America Update Section http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,c31a49d7-f346-47ed-8cc8-91437c07f2ac.aspx http://www.iggamerica.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,c31a49d7-f346-47ed-8cc8-91437c07f2ac.aspx Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:00:28 GMT <p> <font face=Arial color=#0000ff>Updates to follow soon</font> </p> News