Saving money in the European healthcare systems with biosimilars
Journal Title: Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: The use of biotechnological manufactured drugs, or biologicals, has increased massively over the past few years. Used especially in the treatment of cancer and other severe diseases, biologicals incur high annual therapy costs and represent an additional burden for healthcare systems. Expenditure can be decreased by using cheaper biosimilars, produced following the patent expiration of the reference product. Here we present a model calculation that demonstrates the potential savings from using biosimilars for erythropoietins, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, and monoclonal antibodies in EU national markets between 2007 and 2020. Methods: Using a sequential approach, we calculated the savings through the use of biosimilars for France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and UK. First, either a ‘top-down’ or a ‘bottom-up’ approach was chosen to forecast the expected quantity of consumed drugs. We then calculated average reimbursement prices using additional information about the healthcare systems in each country. Finally, we estimated the potential savings for the above molecule groups using developed country specific scenarios. Results: The use of biosimilars is expected to result in overall savings between Euros 11.8 billion and Euros 33.4 billion between 2007 and 2020, with largest savings expected for France, Germany and UK. Biosimilar monoclonal antibodies are expected to produce the greatest savings ranging from Euros 1.8 billion to Euros 20.4 billion. Biosimilar erythropoietins are expected to provide savings of between Euros 9.4 billion and Euros 11.2 billion, while granulocyte colony-stimulating factors could produce savings of between Euros 0.7 billion to Euros 1.8 billion. Conclusion: The increasing use of biosimilars is a valid option for decreasing healthcare expenditure on biological drugs.
Authors and Affiliations
Robert Haustein, Christoph de Millas, Ariane Höer, Bertram Häussler
Keywords
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- EP ID EP355642
- DOI 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.036
- Views 137
- Downloads 0
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