Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Biosimilars have saved patients billions of dollars and are changing the treatment landscape. Here’s how.

The Podcast by KevinMD & Timothy de Gavre
Podcast
February 21, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share
YouTube video

This article is sponsored by Sandoz, a Novartis division, and global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars.

When I started working in the health care industry over 25 years ago, I was compelled by a passion to make a difference and improve the lives of those around me. Ultimately, that mission brought me to Sandoz, where I’ve had the privilege to develop and drive strategies to get critical medicines into the hands of those who need them – at a more affordable price. Through this work, I’ve seen firsthand how certain medicines can be cost-prohibitive, particularly for people living with a chronic illness who may have previously had to either forgo treatment or settle for less-effective therapies. This is especially relevant in the U.S., given rising health care costs and challenges in accessing care.

Fortunately, there is momentum across the health care ecosystem to address these challenges and transform the future of care for patients. In the treatment landscape, one viable solution is biosimilars.

Biosimilars, or biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from an existing FDA-approved reference product, can help address the growing health care challenges we face in the U.S.

Many patients who need biologic medicines have chronic conditions that require lifelong treatment to help manage their symptoms. This often causes great financial burden, forcing some patients to skip or delay doses and necessary care. With biosimilars, patients and their care teams don’t have to choose between efficacy and safety or savings, meaning greater access to critical care.

The financial impact of biosimilars on the broader health care system is also significant. Since 2015, biosimilar medicines have saved U.S. patients and health systems more than $13 billion. These savings can deliver lower out-of-pocket costs for patients, drive competition that helps make more room for new and innovative medicines and increase sustainability for an overburdened U.S. health care system.

Unlocking the potential of biosimilars in the U.S.

When I joined Sandoz in 2010, the U.S. Congress had only just enacted the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA), which provided a regulatory pathway to biosimilars in the U.S. The BPCIA opened the door for manufacturers like Sandoz to bring more-affordable biologic medicines to U.S. patients, and five years later, we did just that. In 2015, Sandoz launched the first FDA-approved biosimilar, transforming the biologics market landscape and the way we think about patient access and care.

Nearly eight years later, 40 biosimilars are now approved and 25 have been launched in the U.S., resulting in 150 million more days of additional patient therapy than would have been possible otherwise. While this is comparatively low compared to the 86 biosimilars approved in Europe since 2006, it’s clear that the U.S. is making strides to provide patients with more-affordable treatment alternatives.

Oncology biosimilars are a prime example of the potential of these medicines. The use of new biosimilars has saved U.S. patients with cancer more than $3.5 billion since their introduction in 2015. They’ve also cut the growth rate in oncology spending by nearly half, and this is projected to continue to decline over the next four years.

Another 120 reference biologics are set to lose exclusivity over the next decade, allowing new biosimilars to launch and expand patient access to biologics – especially in critical disease areas such as neurology and rheumatology, where biosimilars are not yet available. This will have a significant impact for U.S. patients who otherwise may not have had access to critical biologic treatments. In fact, some estimates predict that as a result of increasing biosimilar availability, an additional 1.2 million U.S. patients could gain access to the life-changing biologic medicines they need by 2025.

This is particularly exciting, not only because of the potential to lower the costs of biologic medicines and make care more accessible to patients, but also because biosimilars can help make way for the next generation of medicines by spurring new innovations and scientific breakthroughs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fueling future innovation

Without competition, innovation wouldn’t be possible. Biosimilars propel innovation by creating competition in markets that have been unchallenged for more than a decade. As more biosimilars become available, many markets will experience unprecedented competition, driving companies to create more choices for patients and physicians. Savings driven by increased competition can also be reallocated to meet the challenges of caring for a growing aging population.

This year will be a true test of this, as key biologic medicines are coming off-patent and several biosimilars are slated to launch in new markets. In the short term, patients in critical disease areas such as gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, and neurology will have more treatment options while health care companies will explore further drug development and discovery to address rising competition.

Looking ahead

As the availability and use of biosimilars increase, there will be new challenges on the horizon that demand attention, including this year’s launch of new pharmacy benefit biosimilars and ongoing barriers to adoption, such as biosimilar misinformation. Additionally, incentives such as pharmacy benefit managers’ rebate preferences continue to present obstacles that hinder patients’ access to lower-cost medicines, which will take bipartisan support and collaboration among health care stakeholders to address.

Despite these hurdles, biosimilars continue to prove their value for patients and health systems alike. Just as the generics market has transformed care for patients, biosimilars can do the same if widely adopted. The sooner physicians, patients, and payers realize this potential, the sooner we can change the long-term trajectory of U.S. health care.

Timothy de Gavre is vice president and chief commercial officer, Sandoz US.

Note: This interview was recorded in December 2022.

VISIT SPONSOR → https://Sandoz.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://kevinmd.com/podcast

RATE AND REVIEW → https://kevinmd.com/rate

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM → https://www.instagram.com/kevinphomd

FOLLOW ON TIKTOK → https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinphomd

Prev

The power of advocacy: a medical student's journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

February 21, 2023 Kevin 1
…
Next

The rise of direct pay: a solution to the fragmented, impersonal and costly medical system

February 22, 2023 Kevin 2
…

Tagged as: Medications, Oncology/Hematology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The power of advocacy: a medical student's journey to helping an uninsured immigrant
Next Post >
The rise of direct pay: a solution to the fragmented, impersonal and costly medical system

ADVERTISEMENT

More by The Podcast by KevinMD & Timothy de Gavre

  • From Founding Fathers to modern battles: physician activism in a politicized era [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Who will train the next generation of primary care clinicians without physician mentorship? [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • A physician’s reflection on love, loss, and finding meaning in grief [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD

Related Posts

  • Hospital administrators thinking about no-cost treatment which really helps patients

    John Corsino, DPT
  • Are patients using social media to attack physicians?

    David R. Stukus, MD
  • You are abandoning your patients if you are not active on social media

    Pat Rich
  • Cancer of the future: diagnosis, treatment, and impact on the health care system and patients

    Eugene Chan, MD
  • Patients are not passengers

    Christopher Noll, RN, MSN
  • Expensive Medicare patients aren’t who you think

    Peter Ubel, MD

More in Podcast

  • From Founding Fathers to modern battles: physician activism in a politicized era [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Who will train the next generation of primary care clinicians without physician mentorship? [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • A physician’s reflection on love, loss, and finding meaning in grief [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Addressing U.S. vaccine inequities in vulnerable communities [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD

More in Sponsored

  • Expert Q&A: Dr. Jared Pelo, ambient clinical pioneer, explains how Dragon Copilot helps clinicians deliver better care

    Jared Pelo, MD & Microsoft & Nuance Communications
  • Disability insurance done right: the financial lifeline every physician needs

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • The buzz around GSI disability insurance for residents: Why it’s gaining popularity and how to take advantage

    Set for Life Insurance
  • Why your disability insurance agent might not offer the most optimized policy

    Set for Life Insurance
  • Patient safety in focus: Helping to address risk factors associated with non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia

    Stryker Oral Care & The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Strategies for patient-centered and employee-focused care

    NRC Health & The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding your medical bill: What those charges really mean

      Cheryl Spang | Finance
    • The emotional first responders of aesthetic medicine

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why testosterone matters more than you think in women’s health

      Andrea Caamano, MD | Conditions
    • A mind to guide the machine: Why physicians must help shape artificial intelligence in medicine

      Shanice Spence-Miller, MD | Tech
    • How subjective likability practices undermine Canada’s health workforce recruitment and retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding your medical bill: What those charges really mean

      Cheryl Spang | Finance
    • The emotional first responders of aesthetic medicine

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why testosterone matters more than you think in women’s health

      Andrea Caamano, MD | Conditions
    • A mind to guide the machine: Why physicians must help shape artificial intelligence in medicine

      Shanice Spence-Miller, MD | Tech
    • How subjective likability practices undermine Canada’s health workforce recruitment and retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...