Gary Lyman, MD, MPH, an oncologist and hematologist, discusses how biosimilar placement on formularies affects physicians' willingness to prescribe these agents.
Gary Lyman, MD, MPH, is an oncologist, hematologist, and public health researcher who has long been an advocate for biosimilars. He has also developed guidelines in support of using biosimilars in the oncology space.
Transcript:
What’s your take on payer formularies and how biosimilar placements on these preferred lists affect use at the physician level?
Lyman: Well, the payer formularies and prioritization, in some cases, have a fairly profound impact on what drugs oncologists and other clinicians can use because it directly impacts the patient. Oftentimes, by prioritizing a certain therapy or certain biologic, a payer is saying that we will cover that and either not cover alternatives if you decide to not to use the favored agent or not pay at all. The burden is left either on the patient in terms of a much higher cost of care or is borne by the institution and the provider, which, of course, is not an attractive option either.
So, in the end, although we talk about guidelines and how health care systems themselves have their own favorite agents, ultimately, they have to meld with the payer because of that reimbursement for these costly drugs. If [a drug] is not fully reimbursed, that directly impacts the patient and the provider. So, I would say it's a fairly dramatic effect.
Enhancing Adoption of Infused Biosimilars for a Sustainable Future
October 30th 2024An IQVIA report highlights challenges to the sustainability of infused biosimilars in the US, citing rebate walls and reimbursement policies, and proposes key solutions to enhance adoption and benefits for all stakeholders.
Biosimilars Policy Roundup for September 2024—Podcast Edition
October 6th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we discuss the FDA's approval of a new biosimilar for treating retinal conditions, which took place in September 2024 alongside other major industry developments, including ongoing legal disputes and broader trends in market dynamics and regulatory challenges.
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.
FDA and Industry Experts Unpack Biosimilar Device Requirements
October 23rd 2024At the GRx+Biosims 2024 conference, a panel of industry experts and FDA officials discussed evolving device requirements for biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, highlighting new approaches to comparative use human factors studies, regulatory challenges, and alternative validation methods.