1
Scientific article
Qualitative analysis of the design and application of benefit sharing programs applied to biological medicines in Europe
This recent work by the MABEL research group at the University of Leuven maps benefit sharing experiences across Europe, compares their design and implementation characteristics, and assesses the impact of different benefit sharing strategies on the use of 'higher value' biologics. They do this by using a literature review and semi-structured interviews with payers/insurers, regulators, healthcare professionals and industry representatives. After a review of national (France, Ireland and Portugal) and regional (Sweden, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom) experiences, the researchers conclude that there is a lot of variability in the design depending on each country and they identify as key points to take advantage of the potential of benefit sharing programs, (i) establish and monitor indicators of success (ii) include parameters of quality of care and access to care; (iii) transparent reinvestment of savings and (iv) transparent communication to patients.
Barcina Lacosta, T. et al. Qualitative Analysis of the Design and Implementation of Benefit-Sharing Programs for Biologics Across Europe. BioDrugs, 2022
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-022-00523-z
2
Video
From biologics to biosimilars: do you know the way?
Through a dialogue between the general director of BioSim, Encarna Cruz, and Dr. Benjamín Herreros, an internist and expert in bioethics, the path between biological medicines and their irruption in the pharmaceutical market is covered, and how years later the biosimilar drugs providing more alternatives, greater access and an unquestionable contribution to the sustainability of health systems. It is an "Open Classroom" format organized by the European University and aimed at students of biosanitary degrees.
Cruz, E. 2022. Open classroom, European University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcgUE4HAM4g
3
interactive website
Use of biosimilar medicines in Portugal
The Portuguese National Authority for Medicines and Health Products, under the National Health Service, has launched an Observatory through an interactive dashboard that allows users to consult the monthly evolution of the use of biosimilars by active ingredient, hospital and region from 2016 to 2021 The indicator used is the use of biosimilars with respect to the total active ingredient expressed as a percentage. This is a transparency and benchmarking exercise with few precedents at a European level.
infarmed
https://www.infarmed.pt/web/infarmed/entidades/farmacia-hospitalar/medicamentos-biossimilares
4
Scientific article
An introduction to biosimilars for the treatment of retinal diseases: A narrative review
This review highlights that anti-VEGF (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) are highly effective for the treatment of retinal diseases, but price can potentially limit the intensity or duration of therapy and therefore therefore, provide suboptimal clinical results. Several candidate biosimilars of ranibizumab and aflibercept (both anti-VEGF) are currently under development for the treatment of retinal diseases and in some cases have already received regulatory approval. The arrival of these biosimilars on the market is eagerly awaited as they will offer alternatives to optimize clinical outcomes while providing substantial cost savings that can be reinvested in healthcare systems. This review also offers a broad explanation of the regulatory process to which biosimilar medicines are subjected prior to their authorization and which is aimed at ensuring the same quality, safety and efficacy guarantees as the original drug.
Hariprasad, SM et al. Ophthalmol Ther 2022
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-022-00488-w
5
Scientific article
Implementation and optimization of the use of biosimilars at the Mayo Clinic
This article describes the strategy of the Mayo Clinic (USA) to optimize the use of biosimilar medicines. To this end, a multidisciplinary team was created and trained on therapeutic exchange, which would be led by pharmacists, and electronic medical records were improved. The project focused on the use of reference medicines and biosimilars for 5 active ingredients (bevacizumab, epoetin alfa, filgrastim, rituximab, and trastuzumab) at all Mayo Clinic locations. The results showed that in the period after the implementation of this initiative, the increase in the absolute percentage of biosimilars chosen in the formulary was 69% for bevacizumab, 63% for epoetin alfa, 80% for filgrastim, 79% for rituximab and 72 % for trastuzumab. The savings generated at 12 months were $23,1 million in total. Taken together, it demonstrates the success of the adopted strategy.
Jensen. C, et. to the. March 2022. Mayo Clinic Proceedings
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(22)00119-7/fulltext