In 2008, tbo-filgrastim (Granix) was approved as a biosimilar in Europe. In 2012, it was approved in the United States as a follow-on biologic product to filgrastim. Tbo-filgrastim was less expensive than filgrastim, and clinical information and expert opinion supported similarity between the products. This led the pharmacy and therapeutics committee of a major US health system to approve tbo-filgrastim as the preferred granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) product in March 2014.
In 2008, tbo-filgrastim (Granix) was approved as a biosimilar in Europe. In 2012, it was approved in the United States as a follow-on biologic product to filgrastim. Tbo-filgrastim was less expensive than filgrastim, and clinical information and expert opinion supported similarity between the products. This led the pharmacy and therapeutics committee of a major US health system to approve tbo-filgrastim as the preferred granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) product in March 2014.
A newly published study appearing in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy was conducted to assess the use of filgrastim and tbo-filgrastim products by comparing baseline characteristics, setting of care, indication for use, and payer type. The study also sought to understand the potential barriers that could arise from conversion to tbo-filgrastim. The researchers found that, although tbo-filgrastim was the preferred G-CSF in the health system, 29% of patients continued to receive reference filgrastim. The system’s conversion to tbo-filgrastim was largely successful, but the researchers note that some extra steps may be needed in order to achieve full conversion to biosimilars.
The researchers conducted a retrospective evaluation of filgrastim and tbo-filgrastim on all patients (n = 204) who received G-CSF between July 2015 and December 2015 at the 2 largest hospitals within the health care system.
Overall, G-CSFs were administered to 204 patients for 261 episodes of care (filgrastim and tbo-filgrastim were used in 65 and 196 episodes of care, respectively). G-CSF was primarily used in the inpatient setting (163 episodes of care, 63%) with 90% of patients using tbo-filgrastim. In the outpatient setting (98 episodes of care, 38%), filgrastim and tbo-filgrastim were each used by 50% of patients. Tbo-filgrastim was the preferred G-CSF by clinical providers for all indications, except for stem cell mobilization. In the outpatient setting, analysis by payers showed that the majority of patients on commercial plans were using filgrastim (58%), while half of Medicare patients were using filgrastim.
Despite their importance and value, biologics like filgrastim are expensive, with a single injection costing between $305 and $515, the study reports. Thus, the use of biosimilars represents an important strategy for providing safe and effective treatment equivalent to the reference drug, but at a lower cost. Despite the reported cost advantages, findings from this study showed that 29% of patients on G-CSF continued to be on filgrastim 2 years after the health system’s pharmacy and therapeutics committee decision. This finding led researchers to conclude that, although the use of biosimilars could have the potential to reduce drug expenditure and increase patient access to high-cost medicines, more needs to be done to educate members of the health care system in order to achieve the full conversion.
Spanish Real-World Study: Adalimumab Biosimilar MSB11022 Safe, Effective in IBD
May 18th 2024A real-world study in Spain on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients found no meaningful changes in clinical or biochemical markers or differences in effectiveness between the adalimumab originator and the biosimilar MSB11022 (Idacio; Fresenius Kabi) in adalimumab-naïve patients.
Biosimilars Policy Roundup for April 2024—Podcast Edition
May 5th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, The Center for Biosimilars® glances back at all the major biosimilar policy updates from April, including 2 FDA approvals, 1 European approval, and several insights into possible policy changes from the Festival of Biologics USA conference.
Panelists Call for Consistent Education, Support to Improve Patient Comfort With Biosimilars
May 15th 2024At the Festival of Biologics USA, panelists stressed the need for patient-centered communication and education to boost comfort with biosimilars, emphasizing consistent support from health care providers despite restrictive payer policies.
Survey Finds Korean Oncologists Trust Biosimilars But Prescribe Originators More
May 13th 2024A Korean survey found that while most oncologists believe biosimilars are just as safe and effective as originator drugs, they often prescribe the originators due to factors like lack of patient trust in biosimilars and lower than expected cost savings.
Patients With IBD Experience Nocebo Effect Post Mandatory Switch to Biosimilar
May 11th 2024In Canada, a study on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) switching to infliximab or adalimumab biosimilars found no change in clinical remission or antidrug antibodies after 24 weeks, but 13% experienced the nocebo effect, leading to one-fifth discontinuing therapy.