Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, CREATION.co analyzed 1,493 posts on X by 750 US healthcare professionals (HCPs) discussing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
HCPs frustrated about the high cost of COPD inhalers
HCPs were concerned that the price of COPD inhalers would hinder treatment for patients in the US, especially those with little or no insurance, and the elderly whose LABA medications would no longer be covered by Medicare. This spiked conversation volume between 7 and 8 January.
Between March and June, they celebrated the decision by Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca to cap their inhaler prices at $35 to make treatment accessible and affordable, given that patients often had to “pay”.
This is incredible!
Inhalers are too expensive.
An out-of-pocket cap of $35/month would be life saving for my patients in a practice I set up for those with limited to no insurance who are stretching inhalers to save.
(*I receive no comp from BI.*)https://t.co/Y58OKmtYLH
— Anand S. Iyer, MD, MSPH (@anandiyermd) March 7, 2024
In 20 posts, they applauded this decision which followed an investigation by Bernie Sanders’ HELP committee into the inhaler price disparity between the US and UK. Although GSK followed suit, two HCPs blamed the company for starting the “inhaler crisis” by discontinuing Flovent.
After the HELP Committee I chair launched an investigation into inhalers that cost $645 in the US but just $49 in the UK, Boehringer Ingelheim & AstraZeneca agreed to cap the costs of the inhalers they make at $35 this month. Millions with asthma & COPD will benefit as a result. pic.twitter.com/ADD8aKS1da
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 5, 2024
Three months after launching our investigation into the outrageously high cost of inhalers in this country, three major manufacturers agreed to cap their costs.
Soon, the vast majority of Americans with asthma and COPD will pay no more than $35 for their inhalers. pic.twitter.com/sCAhGKqaSs
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 31, 2024
As a result, AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim were among the top-mentioned pharmaceutical companies.
HCPs celebrate emerging COPD therapies
Between 18 and 22 May, conversation peaked among HCPs as they discussed trial results presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference (ATS 2024). HCPs shared research showing that beta blocker bisoprolol is a safe treatment option for cardiac disease in COPD patients. 39% of HCP posts expressing this opinion were shares of HCP Josh Farkas’ plea to cease spreading misinformation about beta blockers’ usability in COPD patients.
🔥 Do not be afraid of administering bisoprolol in your cardiac patients with chronic COPD. Bisoprolol does not increase the rate of serious adverse events.https://t.co/EtMoajS4VE pic.twitter.com/oIqfwOJrHY
— Prague ICU_Michal Pazdernik (@PragueICU) May 21, 2024
Thought-starter: HCPs care about sharing accurate scientific information and combating misinformation. Have you considered supporting HCPs who tackle misinformation and amplify accurate treatment information in the COPD space?
Also at ATS 2024, HCPs celebrated the positive NOTUS trial results involving Sanofi-Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody Dupixent (dupilumab) and its subsequent priority FDA review. They celebrated it as a “big win for patient care” and considered it among the new biologics for COPD treatment and research.
Even more exciting news for #COPD @atscommunity! 🎉 Dupilumab significantly reduces flares and improves lung function and quality of life for patients with moderate to severe COPD. A big win for patient care! 🌟 #ATS2024 #MedicalResearch #Hope pic.twitter.com/hAOrt5nvbQ
— Chidinma Chima-Melton MD MBA (@LALungDoctor) May 20, 2024
Following the FDA approval of Verona Pharma’s Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) on 26th June as maintenance treatment for COPD, 7 HCPs reposted about the “exciting news”, considering it as “potent” and celebrating it as the first in its class to be approved by the FDA for COPD in many years.
Ensifentrine has a name “Ohtuvayre”
First FDA approved first in class in many years for COPD (Inhaled PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor) potent bronchodilator, anti inflammatory exacerbation reduction, SAFE
We @PACCSM @PittTweet proud senior author on pivotal pub. https://t.co/dDLaR5akYX https://t.co/MpZOX1s2Ge— Frank Sciurba (@FrankS1956) June 26, 2024
HCPs shared non-invasive ventilation guidelines and palliative care research
Between January and June, ventilation support was among the most discussed therapy types by HCPs. In June, they reposted research on guidelines for using long-term non-invasive ventilation (LTNIV), including an evidence-based algorithm as a structured guide for HCPs applying NIV in acute exacerbation of COPD, to standardise care practices and optimize patient outcomes. However, in the preceding months, especially in January, they discussed how supplemental oxygen can induce hypercapnia in severe COPD cases, and ventilation strategies to prevent “breath stacking”.
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been standard of care treatment for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) for > 30 years. In this article, the authors describe an evidence-based algorithm of the initiation, titration, monitoring, and weaning of NIV in AECOPD
— IMCrit (@IM_Crit_) June 12, 2024
Medications remained among the top three COPD therapy approaches throughout, with most posts praising positive Dupixent trial results and its priority FDA review.
ADAPT – nurse/SW #palliativecare trial ⬆️ QOL in COPD, heart failure & ILD patients
Important telehealth trial delivered over the phone – innovative & important step to reach rural patients
👏David Bekelman @JAMA_current @CUAnschutz @vahsrd @pallipulm https://t.co/nXqGr2xwPF pic.twitter.com/5P5hLSbrWO— Don Sullivan,MD,MA,MCR (@DSullyResearch) January 17, 2024
Thought-starter: How HCPs react to trial data and treatment conversation provides an opportunity to understand their perceptions on treatment options, in light of the latest data.
Have you considered listening to online HCP conversations in your market, to gain a holistic understanding of HCPs’ perception of current and new treatment options in COPD?
Until the end of May, palliative and end-of-life care dominated COPD treatment and management conversations with 66 mentions. In these posts, HCPs mainly shared ADAPT trial results which demonstrated significant quality of life improvement in COPD patients using palliative telecare.
The number of surgical intervention mentions in June doubled from their average in January to May. These mentions in June were shares of a post by cardiothoracic radiologist Daniel Vargas engaging his peers on their thoughts about a patient who developed obstructive CLAD (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome) post a left lung transplant.
Here’s a nice #chestrads case! 🫁
What are your thoughts? #radres #radiology #FOAMed @thoracicrad @atscommunity @RSNA @RadG_Editor @jonherochung @TLHM_MD @hochhegger @draceciferrario @JoannaEscalonMD @blanca_domenech @CsFuss pic.twitter.com/UvkfaO06e0
— Daniel Vargas, MD (@DanielVargasMD) June 7, 2024
Most impactful HCPs discussing COPD on X in June
Using CREATION.co’s unique impact score which ranks HCPs based on metrics like engagement by HCP peers, social media metrics and number of COPD posts for that month, we identified the most impactful HCPs in the US discussing COPD in June 2024.
The most impactful HCP in June was New York-based interventional pulmonologist Daniel Sterman, who shared a biologics therapy discussion, and honoured Pulmonary Grand Rounds speaker Francesca Polverino.
Our fellows recently discussed biologic therapy for #Asthma and #COPD at journal club! Check out what our fellows are reading this week 👇
1️⃣ @AnnalsofIM – https://t.co/bqz95WLUY6
2️⃣ @NEJM – https://t.co/xXscLsh21e#Meded #FellowFriday #PCCM #CCM #Pulmonary #Lung pic.twitter.com/XjgndeumVG— NYULangonePCCSM (@NYULangonePCCSM) June 7, 2024
Next most impactful was pulmonologist Emily Fridenmaker, who shared threads on COPD talks and lectures that she gave in the current and past year, and guided learners on case-specific application of COPD therapies.
I haven’t read this, but I can see longer steroid tx if you think their COPD may have a significant asthma component, which may often correlate with increased eos.
— Emily Fridenmaker (@emily_fri) February 13, 2024
Third most impactful was interventional pulmonologist Nina Maouelainin, who shared research on factors influencing exercise capacity in COPD patients and interventions to increase this capacity, as well as COPD pathogenesis and risk factors.
Breathe: This review presents the complex interplay of factors influencing exercise limitations and physical inactivity and how clinicians can address these to improve management of these treatable traits in COPD https://t.co/Z9nV5754NM pic.twitter.com/V2jkZMj5sy
— ERS publications (@ERSpublications) June 15, 2024
Each quarter, we track online HCP conversations on COPD. If this interests you, you can check out our Respiratory Trackers, or dive into one of our HCP Insight Trackers focused on Product Approvals or Top 50 Pharmaceutical companies. Receive updates straight to your inbox by signing up for our monthly eJournal CREATION Knowledge.
Gaining insight from the conversations of your HCPs on social media can be vital in helping you better understand your HCP community. To understand how we can support you with HCP social media insights contact us for an educational introductory call.
