Biosimilars

For Alberta and Green Shield Canada, savings are beginning to add up from switching initiatives for multiple reference biologics.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a difficult-to-treat skin condition that has responded to infliximab, although payer support in this setting is often lacking.

Hospital reimbursement deals slow the adoption of biosimilars in oncology, but cost concerns contribute to the incentives to use these agents.

Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, director of pharmacy at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, discussed results to the survey he conducted on biosimilar utilization and planned initiatives about how to increase physician confidence in biosimilars.

Fresenius Kabi is hoping to position itself in the US biosimilar market.

The Association of Accessible Medicines (AAM), which supports biosimilar development, argues that even if the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is overturned by the Supreme Court later this year, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) is severable and should survive.

Cost savings are likely to occur should payers switch from originator bevacizumab or rituximab to their respective biosimilars, according to research from 2 studies presented at the Virtual 2020 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) meeting.

Samsung Bioepis announced positiive trial results for its ranibizumab biosimilar (SB11).

Compared with use of originator products, use of biosimilars in the United States is apparently still not a priority of commercial health plans, according to the results of a recent JAMA study.

Biosimilar developers can assuage some physician—and even patient—concerns through coordinated, evidence-based messaging.

In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacies have implemented new strategies to ensure their patients continue to receive care, especially for those who have lost their insurance or have underlying conditions, speakers said this week during the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) 2020 Annual Meeting.

How will coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affect prescription drug trends? The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) put questions to Chris Robbins, chief executive officer of Arxcel Consulting LLC, to review these subjects and more in a wrapup discussion after the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy virtual meeting.

A proposed bevacizumab biosimilar, BE1040V, was found to be noninferior to its reference product (Avastin) in terms of efficacy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), according to a study published in Clinical Therapeutics.

In Europe, the authors of this new study suggest, some patent barriers may be more illusory than real.

Overall, biosimilar rituximab was used in more than 50% of patients, both as first-line therapy, second line or later.

Patients who research medical information online are likely to be more concerned about switching from originator products to biosimilars, according to the study.

COVID-19 has affected the pace of clinical trials, and the FDA’s most recent notice has been that there will be no “near-term” affect on approvals, said Leslie Fish, RPh, PharmD, who co-presented with Jeffrey Casberg, MS, RPh, in Tuesday’s session, "Drug Pipeline: Traditional Pharmaceuticals and Bisoimilars," at AMCP eLearning Days, which replaced the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.

Douglas M. Long, MBA, vice president of industry relations for IQVIA, surveyed the effects of COVID-19 as he kicked off AMCP eLearning Days, a webinar series held in place of the annual meeting of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).

In the second part of a 2-part preview interview in advance of this year’s virtual 2020 Community Oncology Conference, The American Journal of Managed Care® speaks with Cheryl Larson, president and chief executive officer of the Midwest Business Group on Health, about how she is helping employer organizations navigate their pharmacy benefits managers and manage employee expectations.

AHIP wants the FDA and FTC to streamline product approvals, clarify the regulations governing biosimilars, put a stop to attempts to discourage people from using biosimilars, and start educating providers and patients about the safety and efficacy of these products.

Private and public institutions are trying to secure supplies of drugs and pharmaceuticals amid travel restrictions and border controls imposed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) said it is worried that the safety of patients with cancer will be compromised if home infusion regulatory changes, brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, expand; other groups support the changes, which affect Medicare patients using Part B drugs.