Chartwell's hemophilia therapy program offers your patients access to life-saving clotting factors concentrates (CFCs) and other therapies in the comfort of their own home. We provide a comprehensive treatment plan where we work in conjunction with you and your patients to provide the medication needed to navigate this chronic illness. We also educate our patients and their families, so they are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to help manage their disease.

A partnership for our patients

We believe that fostering the relationship with not only our patients, but with you, our partner in care, in addition to continuing to utilize the latest drugs and therapies, is key to ensure the most successful patient outcome.

Sending a Hemophilia Referral

Our referral process is simple. You can eScribe the referral, selecting the "1001 Oakdale" location, or fax the following information to 412-920-1869:
Script
Patient history
Insurance information
Allergies
Lab results

Treatment

CFC Treatment

Clotting factors concentrates (CFCs) are the primary treatment for hemophilia. CFCs provide the missing clotting factors and are intended to raise the level of clotting factor in a patient's blood closer to normal amounts. CFCs containing FVIII are used for hemophilia A and CFCs containing FIX are used for hemophilia B. CFCs may be used on an as-needed basis whenever bleeding occurs, before and after surgeries or procedures, or more routinely to prevent bleeding from occurring.

A CFC dose is based on the patient's weight and how it is being used. After bleeding episodes or surgeries, CFCs are usually given one to three times a day for a few days. If using for routine prevention, frequency of dosing may range from one to four times per week, based on the specific product chosen and the patient's response to therapy.

Administering CFCs

CFCs are given intravenously (IV), directly into a patient's blood stream. Administration requires insertion of a temporary IV line, or a long-term IV access device. Most patients can insert, access, and administer CFCs independently.

Chartwell provides CFCs to patients as powder inside a glass container and are dispensed with the supplies and instructions for patients to add liquid to the powder, draw up the medication into a syringe, and inject it into IV line over several minutes.

Additional Treatment Options

Emicizumab (Hemlibra®) is a medication used for routine prevention of bleeding in patients with hemophilia A. It may be used instead of CFCs, or in cases where CFCs are not effective (patients with inhibitors). It is not a direct replacement of FVIII but performs the same action as FVIII. The dose of emicizumab is based on the patient's weight and must be given once weekly for the first four weeks, then may be administered less frequently if desired. It is administered with a needle subcutaneously (into fat tissue of abdomen, upper arms, or thighs) and is provided as a solution inside a glass container and is dispensed with the supplies and instructions for patients to draw up medication into a syringe and inject. Most patients can administer this medication independently.

Chartwell also offers Desmopressin (DDAVP), tranexamic acid, and epsilon aminocaproic acid. These medications may help increase factor levels in the blood or help to prevent bleeding in other ways. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or cryoprecipitate are made from healthy blood donations and may be used to replace missing clotting factors. They are not preferred and are used only if CFCs are not available.

Out of pocket considerations

Both CFCs and emicizumab are highly specific and expensive medications. Insurance covers some treatments, however copays, even with insurance coverage, may still be too expensive for some patients. There are currently no generic CFCs available, however, many products do offer financial assistance programs:

i.   Advate, Recombinate
ii.  Alprolix, Eloctate
iii. Benefix
iv.  Hemlibra (emicizumab)
v.   Idelvion
vi.  Kogenate