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

  • Protein-Rich Plasma: From Bench to Treatment of Arthritis (S Choate and J Tokish, section editors)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, HCT 1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Ian A. Jones, Ryan C. Togashi & C. Thomas Vangsness Jr

Authors
  1. Ian A. Jones
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  2. Ryan C. Togashi
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  3. C. Thomas Vangsness Jr
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Correspondence to C. Thomas Vangsness Jr.

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Ian A. Jones and Ryan C. Togashi declare that they have no conflict of interests. C. Thomas Vangsness is a shareholder of CarthroniX.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Protein-Rich Plasma: From Bench to Treatment of Arthritis

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Jones, I.A., Togashi, R.C. & Thomas Vangsness, C. The Economics and Regulation of PRP in the Evolving Field of Orthopedic Biologics. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 11, 558–565 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-018-9514-z

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