Interchangeable biosimilars
can help lower
healthcare costs
and promote greater access.1
Find out what INTERCHANGEABILITY can mean for you.
Interchangeable biosimilars: Another step toward a healthier healthcare system
Life changing
Biologics are important medicines that target a range of diseases with life-saving and life-changing potential.2
.
Fast growing
Biologics are the fastest-growing therapeutic category in the US, but they are expensive.1
Fast growing
Pathway to approval
The Biosimilars Act (also known as the Biologics Price
Competition & Innovation Act of 2009, or BPCIA), passed by
Congress in 2010, established a pathway for approval of
biosimilars and Interchangeable products.3
.
Reduce spending
The RAND Corporation has projected that the use of biosimilar medicines in the US will reduce direct spending on biologics by $54 billion from 2017 to 2026.4
Reduce spending
“Availability of biosimilar and Interchangeable products that meet the FDA’s robust approval standards will improve access to biological products through lower treatment costs.”3
- US Food & Drug Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
As an additional treatment option with a designation that saves some administrative hurdles, Interchangeable biosimilars are expected to lower healthcare costs.1 Savings to the healthcare system with biosimilars have been estimated to be $54 billion over a 10-year period, which can translate to greater patient access.4 Out-of-pocket savings for patients will depend on a number of factors, including type of insurance coverage (ie, commercial, Medicare/Medicaid) and manufacturers’ discount programs. Pricing for Interchangeable biosimilars is not known at this time.
Pricing relative to biosimilars is not known at this time. However, it is expected that all biosimilars, including Interchangeable biosimilars, will have a lower price than their reference product.1
References:
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1. US Food & Drug Administration website. Biosimilar product regulatory review and approval. https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/Biosimilar-Product-Regulatory-Review-and-Approval.pdf. Accessed November 24, 2020.
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2. US Food & Drug Administration website. Biological product definitions. https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/Biological-Product-Definitions.pdf. Accessed November 24, 2020.
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3. US Food & Drug Administration website. Biosimilars action plan.
https://www.fda.gov/media/114574/download. Accessed December 1, 2020. -
4. Mulcahy AW, Hlavka JP, Case SR. Biosimilar cost savings in the United States: initial experience and future potential. RAND Corporation.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE264.html. Accessed December 1, 2020.