According to data from iMS Health, the market for biotechnological drugs reached 2.800 million euros in Spain in 2011, mostly sold in hospitals. In addition, over the next five years, patents for biotechnological drugs worth 1.150 million euros will be released.
Another report from last July, prepared by the iEGES institute and Sandoz, showed that the savings would be around 33.000 million euros with different biosimilars –Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agent, Erythropoietin alfa, Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Growth Factor and Monoclonal Antibodies– in eight European countries (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom, Romania and Sweden). These three facts summarize the present and the promising future of biosimilars. But what is the actual state? Is there room for growth or is the limit being reached? what barriers exist?
As Clara Zachmann, an economic analyst for the European employers' association, explains EGA, the biosimilars market "is recent and still in its early stages of development." In his opinion, the work to be done in this field is important, especially in terms of the information to both healthcare professionals and patients, “prescribing incentives to doctors and rules regarding pricing and reimbursement at the Member State level”.
Among EGA's achievements in the process, Zachmann highlights the survey carried out on market access and adoption of biosimilars in Europe. In this work, the member countries of the EU summarized their experience in this field. “The conclusion is that the main obstacles are the general perception that biosimilars are inferior to innovative drugs and the reluctance of doctors to prescribe biosimilars due to hypothesized uncertainties about its safety and effectiveness.
Another obstacle frequently mentioned by Member States is the lack of incentives to prescribe biosimilars, as well as lack of regulation and reluctance of doctors to switch brands”, he has enumerated. The leap of these barriers and the promotion of biosimilars go through, according to his criteria, the need to introduce incentives for prescription.
