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Real-world Studies Support the Use of Infliximab Biosimilars
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DESTIN, Fla. — Among the current therapeutic strategies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis are biosimilars, and real-world studies have supported the use of infliximab biosimilars, according to a presenter here at the Congress of Clinical Rheumatology Annual Meeting.
“At the end of the day, we have optimized the use of current [disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs] DMARDs and biologics, which may increase the access to biologics. This makes me happy,’” Edward C. Keystone, MD, FRCP(C), said.
Among the concerns clinicians regarding the use of biosimilars is the question of whether biosimilars will have the same efficacy and immunogenicity as their originators. Keystone said the treatments will likely have the same efficacy and immunogenicity in the short term. He also said the availability of biosimilars will reduce the high cost of biologics, however, pharmacy benefit managers in the United States will likely prevent significant cost savings. The savings seen with infliximab are approximately 50% in Canada and 70% in Norway, however, such savings may be 15% in the United States.
He said it is unknown whether biosimilars have the same sustainability as the originators, despite few long-term studies. Likewise, it is unknown whether multiple biosimilar switches will increase immunogenicity with less durability and whether the reduced cost of biosimilars will affect the development of innovative therapies by pharmaceutical companies.
Keystone said payers will likely mandate the use of biosimilars first, even though they match the costs of originators, especially in Canada and in the United States. Savings will most likely not be passed onto the patients. Additionally, reduced prices have already reduced the available funding for investigator-initiated studies. – by Kristine Houck, MA, ELS
Reference:
Keystone EC. Current therapeutic strategies in rheumatoid arthritis. Presented at: Congress of Clinical Rheumatology; April 27-20, 2017; Destin, Fla.
Disclosure: Keystone reports he receives funding for research from and is a consultant and speaker for Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen and UCB; receives funding from Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis; is a consultant for or is an advisory board member for Biotest, Genentech, Eli Lilly, Merck and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; and is a speaker for Pfizer and Amgen.