Major Depressive Disorder | Treatment Algorithms | Claims Data Analysis | US | 2021

Treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) involves a range of safe and effective therapies, many of which are available as inexpensive generics. Agents for treating MDD span multiple drug classes, and while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin / norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are considered standards of care, branded therapies, including Trintellix (Lundbeck / Takeda’s vortioxetine), Rexulti (Lundbeck / Otsuka’s brexpiprazole), and Spravato (Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ esketamine) are important treatment alternatives, particularly for treatment-resistant patients. Treatment is often a trial-and-error process owing to the heterogeneous nature of the patient population and the multitude of drugs available to treat depressive symptoms. As such, treatment of MDD is highly individualized and thus complex; therefore, a solid understanding of drivers of physicians’ prescribing decisions is essential to assess opportunity in this highly prevalent indication.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

· What are the drivers and constraints influencing physicians’ treatment decisions for MDD? How are patients being treated across different lines of therapy?

· What drives switching to and from key brands such as Trintellix or Rexulti? How are physicians using Spravato to manage their MDD patients?

· To what extent is polypharmacy prescribed for MDD in the United States, and what factors influence physicians’ decision to use polypharmacy?

· How has the use of key MDD therapies changed in the past year, and what changes do physicians expect in their prescribing of these drugs in one year?

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Current Treatment: Physician Insights provides physician insights on treatment dynamics, prescribing behavior, and drivers of brand use so that marketers can create specific messaging around these treatment dynamics to more effectively increase or defend their market position.

Markets covered: United States

Primary research: Survey of 51 U.S. primary care physicians and 50 U.S. psychiatrists.

Key drugs: Aripiprazole (Abilify, generics), Latuda, Rexulti, Spravato, Trintellix, Vraylar

KEY INSIGHTS PROVIDED

Factors influencing disease management and treatment decisions

Drivers and constraints of treatment selection

Physician-reported treatment practices and brand-level patient shares

Rationale for changes in treatment approach

Physician insight on persistency and compliance

Physician-reported recent/anticipated changes in brand usage or treatment approach