Mandated step therapy for dupilumab delays the inevitable.

This article discusses the impact of mandated step therapy (MST) on the use of dupilumab, a systemic therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). The study found that MST for dupilumab resulted in a delay in treatment initiation, with an average delay of 4.6 months and 1.4 additional appointments. The MST group was younger and more likely to have Medicaid-based insurance. Despite the delay, the majority of patients eventually received dupilumab. The study suggests that MST disproportionately affects younger individuals and those on Medicaid, leading to prolonged symptoms and increased healthcare costs. However, further research is needed to validate these findings in a larger sample. [Extracted from the article]