The substitution program was carried out in 2020 and yielded savings of $4 million in 1 month, investigators reported at ASCO 2021.
An experiment with automatic prescribing of biosimilars at Texas Oncology resulted in a dramatic savings and increase in biosimilar vs originator usage rates, investigators reported at ASCO 2021.
Texas Oncology is a network of approximately 460 physicians and oncologists who serve patients with cancer in rural and urban communities throughout Texas.
A central pharmacy team reviewed all prescriptions and substituted biosimilars for originator biologics, unless payers insisted otherwise or the relevant biosimilar was not in the practice formulary. Texas Oncology also compiled a weekly report identifying all patients who would benefit from switching to biosimilars, and substitutions were then made. In collaboration with McKesson Specialty Health, patient and clinician education was incorporated into the biosimilar usage effort to improve results.
Texas Oncology began the substitution in July 2020 with rituximab and followed up in September 2020 and October 2020 with bevacizumab and trastuzumab substitutions, respectively. By December 2020, utilization of biosimilars rose to 80% from 5% for rituximab, 88% from 9% for bevacizumab, and 74% from 8% for trastuzumab.
Investigators calculated the potential savings per administration at $550 for bevacizumab, $850 for trastuzumab, and $1400 for rituximab. “In 1 month alone, this project dramatically reduced cost by $4 million or 21% by conversion to these 3 biosimilars,” they wrote.
The investigators also predicted that additional savings would be possible by using multidose vials of biosimilar product rather than single-dose vials.
“Our comprehensive team approach successfully deploys therapeutic interchange of biosimilars for brand drugs in a community oncology practice which leads to substantial cost savings. This has real implications in controlling the total cost of care,” the authors of the study wrote.
Reference
Wilfong L, Dave N, Garey JS, et al. A successful model of biosimilar adoption in a community oncology practice. Presented at: ASCO 2021: June 3-7, 2021. Abstract 6514.
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.
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.
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.
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.