Potential cost-savings from the use of the biosimilars filgrastim, infliximab and insulin glargine in Canada: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2014 and 2015, biosimilars for the drugs filgrastim, infliximab, and insulin glargine were approved for use in Canada. The introduction of biosimilars in Canada could provide significant cost savings for the Canadian healthcare system over originator biologic drugs, however it is known that the use of biosimilars varies widely across the world. The aim of this study was to estimate the use of biosimilars in Canada and potential cost-savings from their use.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of Canadian drug purchases for filgrastim, infliximab, and insulin glargine from July 2016 to June 2018. This was a cross-sectional study and the time horizon was limited to the study period. As a result, no discounting of effects over time was included. Canadian drugstore and hospital purchases data, obtained from IQVIA™, were used to estimate the costs per unit and unit volume for biosimilars and originator biologic drugs within each province. Potential cost-savings were calculated as a product of the units of reference originator product purchased and the cost difference between the originator biologic and its corresponding biosimilar.ResultsThe purchase of biosimilars varied by each province in Canada, ranging from a low of 0.1% to a high of 81.6% of purchases. In total, $1,048,663,876 Canadian dollars in savings could have been realized with 100% use of biosimilars over the originator products during this 2 year time period. The potential savings are highest in the province of Ontario ($349 million); however, even in smaller markets (PEI and Newfoundland), $28 million could have potentially been saved. Infliximab accounted for the vast majority of the potential cost-savings, whereas the purchases of the biosimilar filgrastim outpaced that of the originator drug in some provinces. In sensitivity analyses assuming only 80% of originator units would be eligible for use as a biosimilar, $838 million dollars in cost savings over this two-year time period would still have been realized.ConclusionsThe overall use of biosimilar drugs in Canada is low. Policy makers, healthcare providers, and patients need to be informed of potential savings by increased use of biosimilars, particularly in an increasingly costly healthcare system.

Budget Impact Analysis of Biosimilar Products in Spain in the Period 2009–2019

“…Simoens et al [ 16 ] published a review of budget impact analyses (BIA) of the use of biosimilars, although only focused mainly on two molecules, infliximab and etanercept. Furthermore, several recent studies have tried to estimate the budget impact of the introduction of recent biosimilars for either one or several molecules, at national or local levels in Italy [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], the UK [ 20 , 21 ] and Canada [ 22 ], including also in Canada a simulation exercise in which different penetration scenarios similar to the OECD average were considered [ 23 ]. In Spain, to date, the work by González Domínguez et al [ 24 ] is the only previous study that estimated the savings due to biosimilars.…”

Contrasting Immunopathogenic and Therapeutic Roles of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Cancer

“…Importantly, biosimilar formulations of both forms of rG-CSF are available [ 133 , 134 ]. These represent a significant saving to healthcare systems [ 135 ].…”

Budget Impact Analysis of the Introduction of Rituximab and Trastuzumab Intravenous Biosimilars to EU-5 Markets

“…Cost savings can be used to recruit more HCPs, thereby reducing the patient's waiting time and contributing to the efficient use of other healthcare resources [27]. A budget impact study analysing the switching of branded rituximab to its biosimilar over a 3-year time horizon in 28 European countries are often offered at a lower cost than the reference drug, thereby reducing the per-patient treatment cost and creating the possibility of increasing access among patients [6,7]. One explanation for the lower cost of biosimilars is that the manufacturer avoids the lengthy and expensive route of larger trials in the process of drug approval.…”

“…Biosimilars, which are molecularly similar to the reference biologics, offer similar efficacy and safety. Biosimilars are often offered at a lower cost than the reference drug, thereby reducing the per-patient treatment cost and creating the possibility of increasing access among patients [ 6 , 7 ]. One explanation for the lower cost of biosimilars is that the manufacturer avoids the lengthy and expensive route of larger trials in the process of drug approval.…”