filgrastim (Ratiograstim)

Following a full submission filgrastim (Ratiograstim) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for:

• Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients treated with established cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes).

• Reduction in the duration of neutropenia in patients undergoing myeloablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation considered to be at increased risk of prolonged severe neutropenia. • Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC).

• As long term administration, to increase neutrophil counts and to reduce the incidence and duration of infection-related events in children or adults with severe congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.5 x 109/L, and a history of severe or recurrent infections.

• For the treatment of persistent neutropenia (ANC less than or equal to 1.0 x 109/L) in patients with advanced HIV infection, in order to reduce the risk of bacterial infections when other options to manage neutropenia are inappropriate.

Filgrastim (Ratiograstim®) is a biosimilar product and has demonstrated equivalency in terms of efficacy and safety to a reference granulocyte colony stimulating factor (filgrastim (Neupogen®)).

The British National Formulary advises that it is good practice to prescribe biological medicinal products by brand name.