- Bone Health
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Respiratory
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Rare Disease
- Rheumatology
Vivian Bykerk, MD: Using Biosimilars in Treating Patients
Vivian Bykerk, MD, associate attending rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery, associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, describes her level of comfort with using biosimilars in practice.
Transcript:
Are you comfortable with using a biosimilar for your patient?
I’m comfortable in starting my patient on a biosimilar versus its originator, assuming that it works equally well, that there are no glitches in access, and that the federal government has inspected the makers of that biosimilar as much as they inspect the originators, because I know there is a whole process of compliance and specifications that needs to happen.
I worry that they’re able to do that if they’re made in India or Korea or wherever. I’m not so worried about the biosimilars that are made in this country by the companies that are already making them in this country, because we know there are differences, so I would want to see very careful inspection of the company or manufacturing plants that are making them.
So, let’s assume all of that is the case and the process of accessing the biosimilar is equal to the process of accessing the originator, so you don’t end up with short falls—the needle works as well, the boxes are similar, all of the practical considerations—I think it would be fine.
What I do not want to see is people being forced off of their drug that works, or multiple switching. Even worse, I don’t want to see multiple switching where I’m not told or the patient is not told. For that matter, I don’t want to see [any] switches [at all] where I’m not told or the patient isn’t told.
PBM Evolution Toward Value-Based Care Shifts to Transparent Pharmacy Pricing
March 30th 2025Josh Canavan, PharmD, RazorMetrics, and Chris O'Dell, Turquoise Health, predict pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will evolve toward value-based care, mirroring the broader shift toward open-cost structures.
How AI Can Help Address Cost-Related Nonadherence to Biologic, Biosimilar Treatment
March 9th 2025Despite saving billions, biosimilars still account for only a small share of the biologics market—what's standing in the way of broader adoption and how can artificial intelligence (AI) help change that?
Empowering Vulnerable Populations: The Path to Equitable Biologic Therapy Access
December 22nd 2024Elie Bahou, PharmD, senior vice president and system chief pharmacy officer at Providence, discusses strategies to improve equitable access to biologic therapies, including tiered formularies, income-based cost sharing, patient assistance programs, and fostering payer partnerships.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
Can Global Policies to Boost Biosimilar Adoption Work in the US?
November 17th 2024On this special episode of Not So Different honoring Global Biosimilars Week, Craig Burton, executive director of the Biosimilars Council, explores how global policies—from incentives to health equity strategies—could boost biosimilar adoption in the US.
Q&A With Dr Chelsee Jensen: Navigating FDA Approvals, Challenges in the Biosimilar Landscape
January 14th 2024Chelsee Jensen, PharmD, BCPS, senior pharmacy specialist and pharmaceutical formulary manager at Mayo Clinic, reacts to the biggest FDA approvals of 2023 and how she sees the adalimumab, natalizumab, and tocilizumab spaces playing out.
