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Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine
Published in: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 4/2018

01-12-2018 | Protein-Rich Plasma: From Bench to Treatment of Arthritis (S Choate and J Tokish, section editors)

The Economics and Regulation of PRP in the Evolving Field of Orthopedic Biologics

Authors: Ian A. Jones, Ryan C. Togashi, C. Thomas Vangsness Jr

Published in: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review provides an update on the current status of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Topics covered include the current regulatory environment, economic outlook, and current clinical evidence.

Recent Findings

The global PRP market is expected to grow to between 380 million and 4.5 billion (USD) over the next 5–10 years. The cost of a single treatment, which is not covered by most insurance, is roughly $500–$2500, with patients often returning for additional treatments.

Summary

While PRP is not ‘FDA-approved’, it can be legally offered in the clinic ‘off-label’ in the USA for a myriad of musculoskeletal indications. Recently published meta-analyses have demonstrated statistically significant improvements that, in some cases, suggest that PRP may have clinically meaningful effects. However, given the fact that clearance is not synonymous with approval, PRP is a costly treatment not covered by insurance, and clinical trials have not demonstrated definitive efficacy, we recommend informing patients when providing PRP ‘off-label’.
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Metadata
Title
The Economics and Regulation of PRP in the Evolving Field of Orthopedic Biologics
Authors
Ian A. Jones
Ryan C. Togashi
C. Thomas Vangsness Jr
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine / Issue 4/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1935-9748
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-018-9514-z

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