Merck’s infliximab biosimilar, sold as Renflexis and approved by the FDA in April of last year, was determined to be the lowest priced infliximab option available to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and was awarded a national contract. Subsequently, it has become the sole infliximab product available on the VA's National Formulary.
Yesterday, Merck announced that it was pleased with the decision of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to adopt biosimilar medicines “as a means of increasing biologic medicine options for Veterans.”
Merck’s infliximab biosimilar, sold as Renflexis and approved by the FDA in April of last year, was determined to be the lowest priced infliximab option available to the VA, and was awarded a national contract. Subsequently, it has become the sole infliximab product available on the VA National Formulary.
Click here to read more about implementing biosimilars in health systems.
“VA recognizes the value biosimilars bring to the healthcare system, and the award of this contract is consistent with VA’s goal of providing quality treatment options while optimizing resources in the care of Veterans,” said Michael Valentino, MD, chief consultant for pharmacy benefits management.
Renflexis is indicated to treat Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis in the United States. It has seen far less uptake than its fellow infliximab biosimilar, Inflectra, in the US market since its commercial launch, however.
The formulary update is the latest in good news for Merck’s biosimilar infliximab, as earlier this year, Canadian province British Columbia announced that it will reimburse for Renflexis under its public drug plan.
Like the reference infliximab, Remicade, and another infliximab biosimilar in British Columbia, Inflectra, Renflexis was classified as a Limited Coverage Drug, which means that it will not generally be considered as a first-line therapy.
The announcement followed a previous recommendation from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health that stated the biosimilar be reimbursed for patients for whom infliximab is the most appropriate treatment option.
Julie Reed: Why 2024 Is Important for Biosimilars
April 17th 2024Julie Reed, executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, showcases how the biosimilar industry is expected to develop throughout 2024, including major policy changes and hope for continued improvement in market share for adalimumab biosimilars.
Exploring the Biosimilar Horizon: Julie Reed's Predictions for 2024
February 18th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, Julie Reed, executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, returns to discuss her predictions for the biosimilar industry for 2024 and beyond as well as the impact that the Forum's 4 new members will have on the organization's mission.
BioRationality: Removing the Misconceptions Surrounding Interchangeability
April 15th 2024Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, outlines the current state of interchangeable biosimilars in the US and policy changes needed to clear up misconceptions surrounding the meaning behind interchangeability designations.
A New Chapter: How 2023 Will Shape the US Biosimilar Space for 2024 and Beyond
December 31st 2023On this episode of Not So Different, Cencora's Brian Biehn and Corey Ford take a look back at major policy and regulatory advancements in 2023 and how these changes will alter the space going forward.
Biosimilars Council: PBM Rebate Schemes Cost Americans, Payers $6 Billion
April 10th 2024A report from the Biosimilars Council evaluating IQVIA data found that rebate schemes orchestrated by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are costing US patients and payers billions of dollars by suppressing biosimilar adoption.
Rising Biosimilar Adoption for an Italian Payer Will Benefit National Health Care System, Patients
April 9th 2024Data from 2021 and 2022 indicates increasing biosimilar use in an Italian health care company, with potential for full adoption in the future, benefiting both the National Health System and citizens through efficient and sustainable health care policies.