Monoclonal antibody usage pattern in a tertiary care center: A retrospective study

Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are agents that are clones of homogenous parent B cells used in managing and diagnosing multiple conditions. They are used for individualized therapy for patients due to their high specificity for an antigen/epitope. Much needs to be understood about their utilization patterns in a developing country like India, where accessibility and cost play a major role in patient care. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the drug prescribing patterns and indications for use of mAbs and compare their availability, with the essential drug list of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National list of essential medicines in India (NLEM). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from July to December 2021. Data were collected from 237 patients who have visited the tertiary care center or been admitted and have received mAbs. Demographic data, department of admission, diagnosis on admission, and mAbs used during treatment were recorded and analyzed. Results: Out of the 237 patients, who were eligible for this study, 61.6% of them were males and 38.4% were females. The department of ophthalmology used mAbs most commonly (65.8%). Ranibizumab was the most used mAb in this department and overall. Conclusion: Out of the mAbs being used in the tertiary care center, only rituximab was part of the NLEM (India) essential drug list, and six more drugs were present in the WHO essential drug list. The advent of biosimilars is expected to bring costs down significantly for the patient and have better treatment outcomes.