Medical society backs drug-eluting sinus implants

The American Rhinologic Society today endorsed the use of drug-eluting implants in sinus cavities for patients following surgery.

A successful sinus surgery depends on proper healing and avoiding inflammation, the society said in a press release. Drug-eluting implants can reduce nasal polyps and inflammation, which can decrease a patient’s use of oral medication, according to the society.

“The American Rhinologic Society thus feels strongly that drug-eluting implants are not investigational and should be available to our patients, when selected by the physician, in order to maximize outcomes,” the report concluded.

Intersect ENT‘s (NSDQ:XENT) Propel and Propel mini are the first and only steroid-releasing implants approved by the FDA to maintain open passages created in surgery, according to the company.

“We are pleased that the ARS has issued this clear statement for its members endorsing the use of drug eluting sinus implants,” president & CEO Lisa Earnhardt said in prepared remarks. “Our Propel steroid-releasing implants, the first and only FDA-approved products of their kind, have been proven to deliver improved outcomes clinically and economically. To date, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Propel and we will continue to work diligently with payers and providers to ensure patients and physicians have access to this technology. In addition, we look forward to continuing to provide innovative solutions for the ENT specialty.”

The statement comes just weeks after Intersect announced that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield issued a positive coverage decision for its steroid-releasing sinus implants.

An analysis published in the Journal of Medical Economics showed the use of Intersect’s implants following endoscopic sinus surgery is expected to have a negligible impact on the healthcare budget of a commercial payer or a self-funded employer with 1.5 million covered beneficiaries.

CareFirst serves 3.2 million people across Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia.