{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Modelling the opportunity for cost-savings or patient access with biosimilar adalimumab and tocilizumab: a European perspective.
{Author}: Clarke K;Ainslie-Garcia M;Ferko N;Shastri K;
{Journal}: J Med Econ
{Volume}: 27
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jan-Dec 17
{Factor}: 2.956
{DOI}: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2379212
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Biosimilars improve patient access by providing cost-effective treatment options. This study assessed the potential for savings and expanded patient access with increased use of two biosimilar disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): (a) approved adalimumab biosimilars and (b) the first tocilizumab biosimilar, representing an established biosimilar field and a recent biosimilar entrant in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Separate ex-ante analyses were conducted for each country, parameterized using country-specific list prices, unit volumes annually, and market shares for each therapy. Discounting scenarios of 10%, 20%, and 30% were tested for tocilizumab. Outputs included direct cost-savings associated with drug acquisition or the incremental number of patients that could be treated if savings were redirected. Two biosimilar conversion scenarios were tested.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Savings associated with a 100% conversion to adalimumab biosimilar ranged from €10.5 to €187 million (UK and Germany, respectively), or an additional 1,096 to 19,454 patients that could be treated using the cost-savings. Introduction of a tocilizumab biosimilar provided savings up to €29.3 million in the most conservative scenario. Exclusive use of tocilizumab biosimilars (at a 30% discount) could increase savings to €28.8 to €113 million or expand access to an additional 43% of existing tocilizumab users across countries.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study demonstrates the benefits that can be realized through increased biosimilar adoption, not only in an untapped tocilizumab market, but also through incremental increases in well-established markets such as adalimumab. As healthcare budgets continue to face downwards pressure globally, strategies to increase biosimilar market share could prove useful to help manage financial constraints.