The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research is holding its Europe 2019 meeting this week in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the savings that biosimilars can afford European healthcare systems are a hot topic at this year’s event. Two studies presented on Monday explored how Amgen’s biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) and biosimilar trastuzumab (Kanjinti) could produce significant cost savings for hospitals in the Italian healthcare system.
The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) is holding its Europe 2019 meeting this week in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the savings that biosimilars can afford European healthcare systems are a hot topic at this year’s event. Two studies presented on Monday explored how Amgen’s biosimilar bevacizumab (Mvasi) and biosimilar trastuzumab (Kanjinti) could produce significant cost savings for hospitals in the Italian healthcare system.
First, a research team presented on a cost-minimization analysis of per-patient costs and potential savings that could be delivered by using the biosimilar bevacizumab instead of the reference for all indications reimbursed in Italy, which aimed to estimate the consequences of the biosimilar’s introduction over the coming 5 years.1
Only drug costs were used, given that no differences in administration costs are expected between the reference and the biosimilar. Public drug prices were used for the reference, and a 20% discount was used for the biosimilar. Bevacizumab expenditure in Italy for 2017 was used for the budget impact analysis, and biosimilar uptake was derived from a case history of rituximab biosimilars.
The researchers report that using the biosimilar could generate savings that range from €5797 (approximately USD $6472) per patient per year when used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer to €11,595 (approximately USD $12,944) per patient per year when used to treat metastatic renal cell cancer. Over 5 years, using the biosimilar could save €145.4 million (approximately USD $162.3 million), and with increasing discounts over time, those savings numbers could grow even more.
The landscape for biosimilar trastuzumab is slightly more complex, given the fact that the originator Herceptin has a subcutaneously administered formulation available, which has the advantage of limited drug preparation time and reduced administration time.
In a cost comparison model, a second research team sought to estimate the costs from a hospital perspective for 20 patients treated with either the intravenously administered biosimilar or the subcutaneous reference product over a period of 17 cycles.2
The costs considered included drug acquisition, administration, consumables, and pharmacists’ time compensation. Public drug prices were used in the analysis.
The researchers says that, over 17 cycles, the total costs for the biosimilar were €8499 (approximately USD $9485) per patient versus €17,929 (approximately USD $20,010) per patient with the subcutaneous formulation of the reference drug. Drug costs were the primary driver of these results, at €12,012 (approximately USD $13,406) versus €21,497 (approximately USD $23,992) for the 2 products, respectively.
For the 20 patients considered together, the total cost of trastuzumab treatment with the biosimilar was €239,110 (approximately USD $266,859) versus €427,698 (approximately USD $477,332) for the reference in its subcutaneous form.
“When all relevant medical costs are considered,” say the investigators, “treatment with Kanjinti is associated with significant hospital budget savings compared to treatment with [subcutaneous Herceptin], contributing to longer-term sustainability of the healthcare spending.”
References
1. Despiégel N, Cirillo L, Gaikwad I. Cost-minimization and five-year budget impact analysis for Mvasi (bevacizumab biosimilar) in Italy. Presented at: ISPOR Europe 2019; November 2-6, 2019; Copenhagen, Denmark. Abstract PCN113.
2. D’Arpino A, Savoia M, Cirillo L, et al. Comparative cost analysis of subcutaneous trastuzumab originator (Herceptin) vs intravenous trastuzumab biosimilar (Kanjinti) from a hospital perspective in Italy. Presented at: ISPOR Europe 2019; November 2-6, 2019; Copenhagen, Denmark. Abstract PCN72.
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.
Competitive Pricing in Biosimilars: How Adalimumab Could Shape the Industry
Published: October 29th 2024 | Updated: October 29th 2024Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, MHA, BCBBS, of Sutter Health notes that although initial adoption of adalimumab biosimilars remained low in 2023, competitive pricing pressures have already benefited patients and the health care sector.
Insights from Festival of Biologics: Dracey Poore Discusses Cardinal Health’s 2024 Biosimilar Report
May 19th 2024The discussion highlights key emerging trends from the Festival of Biologics conference and the annual Cardinal Health Biosimilars Report, including the importance of sustainability in the health care landscape and the challenges and successes in biosimilar adoption and affordability.
Strengthening the Supply Chain: Key Insights From FDA Commissioner Dr Robert Califf
October 25th 2024At the GRx+Biosims conference, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, stressed the urgent need for data transparency in the global supply chain and the role of collaboration and artificial intelligence in ensuring the resilience of biosimilar and generic drug production.