Evaluating the Economic Impact of Biosimilars on Global Healthcare Systems: A Case Study Approach

Abstract

Biosimilars might lessen the cost problem on the healthcare system while increasing patient access to biological medicines. Biosimilars can be sold for less than the reference biologic, which encourages price competition among biologic medications. Therefore, the usage of biosimilars can aid in freeing up funds that the healthcare system might employ for other purposes, including paying for new medicines. Several studies show no significant problems with effectiveness, safety, or immunogenicity when moving from a reference biologic to a biosimilar. For these reasons, several countries' governments have applied or intend to enact forced nonmedical switch (NMS) policies, which include supporting only less expensive biosimilars and reducing medication coverage for reference biologics. These NMS rules provide a strategy for altering a stable patient's treatment plan for reasons unrelated to the initial Therapy's effectiveness, side effects, or adherence. Crucially, there has been continuous discussion on the viability of the original-to-biosimilar NMS for patients who are receiving effective treatment with an originator biologic. Canada’s health system has authorized many biosimilars for sale in Canada, and several states have already put in place payment schemes that encourage new patients to utilize biosimilars rather than the biologic originator. In May 2019, British Columbia unveiled an NMS policy that is anticipated to save $96.6 million in expenditures in only the first three years. While patients who are fresh to Therapy would receive the Biosimilar at the start of treatment, the NMS policy would explicitly require that patients who are presently receiving the reference biologic transition to the biosimilar drug regardless of disease activity. Overall research found directly link between economic on biosimilars on global healthcare systems.