Biosimilars

Off-label Avastin, Eylea and Lucentis are the primary treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. A recent review article looked at the impediments to the biosimilars for these drugs Ophthalmologists are wary about using biosimilars to Avastin (which was approved as a cancer drug) for AMD. Biosimilars to Eylea and Lucentis are not on the market yet. Manufacturers’ rebates and Medicare Part B “buy and bill” policies could make it difficult for them to compete against their brand-name “originator” products.

The company announced this week that it is selling its biologics unit to Biocon Biologics, but Viatris is also slated to have a stake in the biosimilars entity that will bring together Biocon Biologic’s biosimilar operations and those that Viatris is selling off.

Guidelines tell prescribers and patients to avoid switching among levothyroxine products from different manufacturers. But Mayo Clinc-led research finds little difference between switchers and nonswitchers.

New report includes research findings on insulin biosimilars use among retail pharmacists and physicians.

Humira may sink even further in the drug spend rankings next year when six biosimilars are expected to hit the market.

2021 was an outstanding year for biosimilar medications, as they increased market share and adoption by healthcare providers and the first biosimilar and interchangeable insulin was approved by the FDA. Take a look at Managed Healthcare Executive's top four biosimilar developments of 2021.

A temporary add-on payment in the Part B program should be considered as a way to increase biosimilar uptake, says Sandoz’s Afton Wagner.

Momentum is building for biosimialrs but robust coverage for lower-cost agents, including biosimilars, is needed.

By giving Semglee, the interchangeable biosimilar for Lantus, a preferred spot on its formulary, the Prime Therapeutics says it is setting the stage for other interchangeables coming down the pike, including the one for Humira.

Biosimilars can save states billions of dollars annually, according to a new report from a libertarian think tank in California.

Three pieces of legislation that would provide incentives to prescribers and put generics and biosimilars in favorable formulary tiers would speed further prescribing and use of biosimilars, Christine Simmon told Managed Healthcare Executive.®

Exactly how Byooviz will be priced is unclear, noted George W. Williams, M.D., a retina specialist and past president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The exact cost savings will help determine whether the biosimilar gains acceptance.

The Association for Accessible Medicines said biosimilar drugs saved $7.9 billion in 2020, more than tripling the $2.5 billion saved in 2019.

The drug won't be available till next year but is expected to dent sales of Roche's blockbuster for age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases.

Senior Vice President of OptumRx, Savitha Vivian, shares with MHE when expected upcoming biosimilars are coming to market and the challenges she's seeing with biosimilar acceptance.

In an interview with MHE, SVP Savitha Vivian said the biosimilars to Humira and Novolog that are expected to be on the market in the next few years could have the kind of impact that proponents of biosimilars have been hoping for.

A large Netherlands study demonstrated that rituximab biosimilars (R-biosimilars) produced a 43% reduction in annual costs. In addition, three-year overall survival did not differ between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and those receiving rituximab, according to the researchers.

In this second part of a two-part video series, Briana Contreras, associate editor of MHE caught up with MHE Editorial Advisory Board member David Calabrese, who is market president of Health Plans/PBMs at OptumRx. Calabrese shared his thoughts on the approval of the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, as well as the Biden Administration's interest in putting more generics and biosimilars in the market.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says biosimilar alternatives to Avastin have never been tested in the eye.

FDA approval means that pharmacists can swap biosimilar Semglee, an insulin product, for brand-name Lantus, although state-level pharmacy rules may apply.

FDA approval means that pharmacists can swap biosimilar Semglee, an insulin product, for brand-name Lantus, although state-level pharmacy rules may apply.

Wide ranging report covers a lot of ground. It sounds an optimistic note about biosimilars but is critical of white bagging.

International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association recently released the report, "A Vision for the Global Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Industry,” covering the current global Generic and Biosimilar medicine industry, and released a vision of what the market will be in 2030 and how to achieve it.

Research note from SVB Leerink says revenue erosion once biosimilars hit the market in 2023 may be more gradual than some prior predictions.

Low prices and some gaming of regulations can drive out competitors and create monopolies that allow generic makers to jack up their prices. Experience has shown that it often takes multiple generics to achieve the promised-for downward pressure on prices.

Insurer also moves two approved biosimilars for Remicade, Avsola and Inflectra, to preferred status.

Biosimilars may reduce healthcare costs.

Generic drugs account for 90% of the prescriptions filled in the United States. They are the backbone of healthcare providers’ treatment protocol and they are remarkably cost effective: despite being 90% of the prescriptions filled, generics account for only 20% of drug spending.

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The leading community oncology practice partnership has been an early adopter of biosimilars, and a trouble-shooter for hurdles with payers.