Experts say the future of biosimilars in the U.S. still looks hopeful, despite current roadblocks to their market entry.
With Zarxio’s entry into the U.S. market still stalled by legal battles, many experts are still optimistic about the potential of biosimilars, especially in easing health care spending – once they enter the market, that is.
A 2014 Rand Corp. report estimated biosimilars will reduce biologic drug spending by $44.2 billion up to 2024. While in 2013, Express Scripts predicted that $250 billion could be saved in the next 10 years if biosimilar versions of 11 brand name biologics, whose patents expired or are about to expire, enter the market.
However, the Business Insurance article said that while biosimilars sold in Europe cost between 10 to 35 per cent less than their brand name reference biologics, some research suggests similar savings may not be possible in the U.S. It cites a 2007 Duke University study that found high costs associated with clinical testing and manufacturing would lead to fewer biosimilars in the U.S., keeping them “relatively close in price” to branded biologics.
