expert corner
Market uptake of biosimilars and realization of biosimilars potential in expanding access or saving healthcare budgets
A complex interplay of biosimilars versus originator pricing , stakeholder awareness and attitudes is going to play an important role in shaping the future of biosimilars . The EU experience with biosimilars over the last 10 years has been quite positive with a definite cost saving as well as expansion of treatment access ( as well shaping a change in treatment paradigms ). Further the EU experience with the marketed biosimilars has not revealed any unexpected untoward efficacy or safety concerns in the real world use setting .
Published studies and systematic analyses provide further evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of biosimilars , including experience in the setting of single and multiple switches between biosimilar and originator ( notably NorSwitch and EGALITY studies ). Such emerging data is likely to contribute towards building confidence of the prescribers , patients and payers in the biosimilars , and this is likely to impact the biosimilars uptake positively . In fact we see more and more expert bodies around the world endorsing the use of biosimilars now . Recent surveys reveal that physicians ’ knowledge about biosimilars is improving but still there remain knowledge gaps . These findings affirm the need for further focus on prescriber and patient education regarding the biosimilars .
Market consolidation
The year 2016 has seen at least two significant players exiting / considering to exit the biosimilars domain in favour of their other priorities . In the months following the Shire- Baxalta merger , Shire returned the rights to two biosimilars that
34 BioVoiceNews | March 2017