MPN Workshop of the Carolinas 2025 | The recent shortage of peginterferon alfa-2a and the role of this agent in MPNs

So there are two formulations of pegylated interferon. Pegylated interferon alpha-2a and pegylated interferon alpha-2b, which is ropeginterferon produced by PharmEssentia. So there has been a period of time, I think because of the transition of pegylated interferon alpha-2a between manufacturers where there was a relative shortage, that I think, depending upon the part of the country, and I know in different countries, has been something that has been harder or easier to navigate. You know, fortunately, I would say that with my patients, it’s not been a huge barrier. We’ve noted it, but in the end, we’ve been able to obtain supply. 

I do think there is some good news on the way. The current manufacturers that are in Austria have kind of geared up to manufacture the medication, and have some approvals in place to be able to export that to the US So I think that is helpful. Where it’s particularly helpful is in those areas where ropeginterferon particularly is either not obtainable in certain countries or where it is not indicated so there may be less insurance coverage. So in the United States, ropeginterferon is indicated for polycythemia vera, so we are usually able to obtain financial coverage for that. But for ET, early myelofibrosis, some of those more off-label indications that we use based on evidence, but are not FDA indications, peginterferon alpha-2a still remains very, very important because we’re able to typically obtain that more. One, because it is in our current US NCCN treatment guidelines. And two, I think over time, insurance companies as well as US Medicare have become more comfortable with the coverage of peginterferon alpha-2a based on the last 15 years of off-label use.

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