The study was carried out in seven countries: France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK, and was based on three representative biologicals; Herceptin (trastuzumab), Avastin (bevacizumab) and Humira (adalimumab). Contributions from 71 experts and policy influencers at national and regional levels (some who influence pan-European policies) and from multiple stakeholder groups, including physicians, payers, pharmacists (hospital and retail), patients and industry were included.

The report revealed that biosimilars will deliver an opportunity for increased access to better healthcare for patients and significant cost savings, provided that policies supporting a sustainable biosimilars market are in place.

According to the study, a sustainable national policy framework for biosimilars should cover:

• Education and information from unbiased sources, targeting all stakeholders – doctors, patients, other healthcare professionals and payers
• Incentivization of appropriate early use in conjunction with sustainable pricing policies maintaining and encouraging competition, supporting innovation, and ensuring fair return on investment
• Collection and publication of real-world evidence to increase confidence and trust and to reinforce the safety and efficacy of biosimilars
• Transparent and evolutionary procurement and utilization policies involving multi-stakeholder input and agreement as well as transparent decision-making processes that do not delay time to market

Implementation of such policies across Europe is expected to improve access to essential biological medicines, as well as providing cost savings to European healthcare systems.

EGA plans to present the study findings via national organizations in Germany, Hungary, Italy and Spain, with other countries to follow.

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