In Sight: The Future of Biosimilars in Ophthalmology Care

When first-generation biosimilars were introduced in the United States, there was much anticipation about their potential to reduce the rising cost of medicines. Currently there are more than 35 biosimilars approved by the FDA, and more than 20 of which are available to patients. However, their adoption has been stymied by several factors, including perceptions of inferiority among health care providers and patients and the intricacies of market access in the US health care system.

This year has been a "turning point" for US ophthalmic biosimilars, with entry of the first biosimilar. What headway are biosimilars making in competing with other anti–vascular endothelial growth factor drugs? How can regulators, academic societies, and industry play a greater role in improving the understanding of biosimilars in the retina community? Other than lack of education, what barriers exist to biosimilar adoption and how can they be addressed?

Samsung Bioepis and The American Journal of Managed Care®'s The Center for Biosimilars® co-hosted a moderated digital open forum facilitating an interactive discussion among health care professionals, health system executives, health care payers, and health policy influencers about promise and the barriers to the expanded use of biosimilars in ophthalmic applications.

Moderator:

Alex Brill, CEO, Matrix Global Advisors

Speakers:

• Sarah Yim, MD, director, Office of Therapeutic Biologics and Biosimilars/OND/CDER, FDA
• Brian Lehman, MBA, MHA, RPh, Alliance Committee Cochair, Biosimilars Forum
• Seenu Hariprasad, MD, interim chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago Medicine
• Tim Kane, senior vice president, Rebate, Trade Relations and Formulary Strategy, Magellan Health
• Tom Newcomer, vice president, Head of US Market Access, Samsung Bioepis

To read the article summarizing some of the major topics of discussion, click here.