Gary Lyman, MD, MPH, an oncologist and hematologist, discusses some of the issues holding physicians back from prescribing biosimilars and some ways to ensure provider confidence in biosimilars.
A major barrier to biosimilar adoption is physician hesitancy when it comes to prescribing these agents, especially in the oncology space. Physicians often want more clinical or real-world evidence on the safety and efficacy of biosimilars compared with reference products in patients with cancer, for whom the stakes are high when choosing a therapeutic or supportive agent. Additionally, some clinicians worry about having to stock multiple biosimilars for a single reference product. These may require different storage conditions and increase the risk of administering the wrong agent, creating financial risk for the practice.
We sat down with Gary Lyman, MD, MPH, an oncologist, hematologist, public health researcher, and long-time biosimilar advocate who has also helped develop guidelines in support of using biosimilars in the oncology space. We discussed what steps are needed to improve physician confidence in using biosimilars.
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?
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.
Similar Survival, Safety for Bevacizumab Biosimilar vs Originator in Colorectal Cancer
February 8th 2025A retrospective observational study found no significant differences in progression-free survival or safety in patients with colorectal cancers in Japan treated with ABP 215, Amgen’s bevacizumab biosimilar, or reference bevacizumab (Avastin), and estimated cost savings of 800,000 Japanese yen (approximately $5100) per patient with the biosimilar.