The long-term effects of the biolicit procedure for original and biosimilar GCSF and EPO products in Hungary

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to analyse the long-term effects of the biosimilar bids of NEAK regarding GCSF and EPO drugs. Data and Methods: Our analysis is based on the data derived from the nationwide pharmaceutical database of NEAK. The treatment days and reimbursement figures of 12 months periods has been compared, from 01.07.2011-30.06.2014. and 01.07.2017.-30.06.2019. Results: In the 12 months preceding the price competition bid of biosimilar products 13974 patients received G-CSF, 7.49 billion HUF health insurance reimbursement has been paid, 5 years later the turnover of the product increased (314760, 340100 DOT value), whereas the reimbursement decreased (2.03 billion HUF, 1.95 billion HUF respectively). 12 months before the biosimial price competition, 4167 patients were treated with erythropoietin, resulting in 2.33 billion HUF of reimbursements, in the last 2 years the turnover increased (48727, 50813 DOT value respectively) with decreased reimbursement (1.004 billion HUF, 1.002 billion HUF respectively). Conclusions: The long-range analyses price competition bid of biosimilar products revealed that in case of products the health insurance reimbursement decreased despite the elevated turnover in a longer period as well. During the years following the start of the price competition bid the switch from original products to biosimilars could be observed.