Europe has been leading the way when it comes to encouraging the use of biosimilars. This is especially true in Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, which are seen as leading the way when it comes to switching and substitution of biosimilars in Europe [1]. In fact, an analysis by Norwegian researchers has found that ‘tremendous savings’ could be realized in the US should the country implement similar strategies [2].
The problem is that biosimilars currently make up only 2.3% of the US biologicals marketplace. Currently, 90% of global biosimilars sales take place in Europe, despite 60% of overall biologicals sales occurring in the US [3].
In order to investigate this, author Kvien and colleagues reviewed the challenges to increased biosimilar use in the US and the successful strategies employed to increase biosimilar uptake in the European Union (EU).
The authors found that obstacles to biosimilar uptake in the US included:
• reimbursement and rebates
• patent litigation
• physician and patient concerns
The authors recommended the following actions to increase biosimilar use in the US:
• US government
- Increase approvals (decrease patent litigation)
- Introduce national tender systems, such as those in Denmark and Norway
- Relaxation of requirements for interchangeability
• Healthcare systems
- Financial incentives to healthcare systems
- Reducing rebates for originator biologicals
• Medical associations
- Promotion of biosimilar use
- Education about the efficacy and safety of biosimilars
The authors found that ‘the EU has demonstrated strategies that work’. They add that the US needs ‘to adapt those strategies’ to fit its own healthcare system ‘to alleviate some of its financial burden and to increase access of patients to medications that might otherwise be unaffordable to them’.
They concluded that ‘greater utilization of biosimilars in the US is an achievable goal but the federal government, pharmaceutical companies, and medical associations/institutions will need to work together to address patient and physician concerns and to remove incentives for using more expensive treatment options’.
Conflict of interest
The authors of the research paper [2] declared that there was no conflict of interest.
Editor’s comment
Readers interested to learn more about biosimilar policies in Norway are invited to visit www.gabi-journal.net to view the following manuscript published in GaBI Journal:
Norway, biosimilars in different funding systems. What works?
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| LATIN AMERICAN FORUM The new section of the ‘Latin American Forum’ on GaBI has been launched. The objective of this new section is to provide you with all the latest news and updates on developments of generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America in Spanish. View last week’s headline article: Biosimilares aprobados en Colombia Browse the news in the Latin American Forum! Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative. LATIN AMERICAN FORUM Se ha lanzado la nueva sección del ‘Foro Latinoamericano’ sobre GaBI. El objetivo de esta nueva sección es brindarle las últimas noticias y actualizaciones sobre desarrollos de medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en América Latina en español. Vea el artículo principal de la semana pasada: Biosimilares aprobados en Colombia iExplore las noticias en el Foro Latinoamericano! Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Foro Latinoamericano. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa.
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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Switching approaches to biosimilars in Nordic countries [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Feb 18]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/reports/Switching-approaches-to-biosimilars-in-Nordic-countries
2. Kvien TK, Patel K, Strand V. The cost savings of biosimilars can help increase patient access and lift the financial burden of health care systems. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2022;52:151939.
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. The sluggish US biosimilars market [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Feb 18]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/reports/The-sluggish-US-biosimilars-market
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