Biosimilars

A study examining how US biosimilar uptake has evolved found that biosimilars launched more recently have seen better uptake than biosimilars that have been on the market for a longer period.

Celltrion Healthcare’s high-concentration adalimumab biosimilar demonstrated comparable safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity profiles to the reference product for up to a year, providing further evidence supporting use of the product.

Sonia T. Oskouei, PharmD, BCMAS, DPLA, from Cardinal Health, talks about the differences between provider and pharmacist concerns and whether health organizations giving more power to pharmacists causes conflict with physicians.

Sonia T. Oskouei, PharmD, BCMAS, DPLA, from Cardinal Health, explains the ramifications that interchangeability designations will have on biosimilars and when we might see the first interchangeable biosimilar in the United States.

Sandoz Canada launches its sixth biosimilar, an anticoagulant used to treat deep vein thrombosis, on the Canadian market.

After switching to 1 of 2 adalimumab biosimilars, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experienced comparable clinical outcomes to the reference product after 6 months, according to a recent study.

Sonia T. Oskouei, PharmD, BCMAS, DPLA, from Cardinal Health, highlights the important role that pharmacists can play in promoting uptake and expanding education efforts for biosimilars.

A poster presentation highlighted the impact that payer preferences could have on biosimilar utilization and the potential savings that could be generated if payers decide to take advantage.

Under the lawsuit, Alvotech alleges that AbbVie is unlawfully taking advantage of patent laws and claims courts to prevent biosimilar competition rivaling its blockbuster drug, Humira, from entering the US market.

Alberta, Canada becomes the latest province to begin switching patients from originator adalimumab (Humira) to biosimilar versions as part of its Biosimilars Initiative.

Despite the FDA approving 29 biosimilars, none have achieved interchangeability status. Boehringer Ingelheim thinks its adalimumab biosimilar, Cyltezo, may be the first.

Posters from the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy annual meeting evaluated real-world evidence on adherence to biosimilars and barriers to biosimilar adoption.

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.