Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Additional Risk Minimization Measures for Ixazomib Citrate for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in Japan: A Web-Based Survey Among Pharmacists

Background Ixazomib citrate (IXA) in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRD therapy) has been approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In Japan, as these three drugs have different dosing schedules, dosing instructions for patients have been prepared and distributed to patients via healthcare professionals to promote an understanding of the appropriate dosing regimen, as an additional risk minimization measure (aRMM). Objectives This survey aimed to investigate whether the aRMM material is being utilized for the adequate use of IXA. Methods A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among in-hospital pharmacists in Japan who instructed patients on IXA dosing for IRD therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of pharmacists who provided patients with the contents of the aRMM material (i.e., how to take IXA). The secondary endpoints were the proportion of pharmacists who had obtained the aRMM material and the proportion of pharmacists who understood the importance of explaining how to take IXA to patients. Results Of the 330 pharmacists who completed the questionnaire, 93.0% answered that they had explained how to take IXA to patients. Of those who answered that they had explained how to take IXA, 33.2% responded that they had experience in using the aRMM material. In addition, 37.6% of the pharmacists answered that they had obtained the aRMM material. Moreover, 95.8% stated that they knew how to take IXA, and 90.3, 9.1, 0.3, and 0.3% of pharmacists answered that the importance of explaining how to take IXA was "very important," "probably important," "less important" and "not important," respectively. Conclusions How to take IXA was explained to patients by pharmacists and the aRMM material was utilized at the time of the explanation, indicating that the aRMM material contributes to the promotion of the appropriate use of IXA.