Survey Finds Biosimilars Could Become More Frequently Adopted into Formulary Lists

More hospitals are adopting biosimilars into their formularies, according to a survey conducted by Vizient, Inc;¹ however, biosimilars are still not widely used in patient care. Among the respondents, 80% said that their institution has implemented a systemwide review process for adding a biosimilar to their formulary.¹

“Vizient has long urged the adoption of biosimilars to our member healthcare organizations to compete with their branded biologic counterparts as they are just as safe and effective,” said Steven Lucio, senior principal, pharmacy solutions, in a press release.¹

According to the survey, 36 biosimilars have been approved in the past 8 years—in total, they could save patients $12.6 billion.² Up to 10 adalimumab (Humira) biosimilars will be launched in 2023, varying by method, formula, and interchangeability status.³ Humira generated more than $17 billion in net revenues in 2021, but biosimilars could become a worthy alternative.³

“The introduction of biosimilars signals the greatest opportunity for savings and value realization in this new era of biologic competition,” Vizient said in the press release.³

To evaluate the current state of biosimilars in clinical formularies, Vizient distributed 1907 surveys to pharmacy executives and professionals between March 30 and April 28, 2022.²

The researchers found that 30% of respondents have added biosimilars under provider or payer demand,¹ and this is projected to increase within the next few years.² Among respondents, 22% said that they would adopt biosimilars once they became FDA-approved. One-quarter of participants reported that their institution would add biosimilars to the formulary once approved by the organization’s pharmaceutical and therapeutics committee.¹

When prescribing a biosimilar, 65% of respondents said they would use the medication for treatment-naïve patients only.Most respondents also indicated that payer demand would affect their decision to prescribe a biosimilar or the reference product.³

From the survey results, Vizient correlated that biosimilars are used when added to a formulary list.² An example cited showed that 88% of respondents who adopted a biosimilar for infliximab (Remicade) used it to treat inflammatory bowel conditions and rheumatoid arthritis and 85% of respondents report using it for these conditions among other health situations.¹

Respondents reported that payer placement, acquisition price, and interchangeability status will most likely affect which biosimilars are chosen and included in a hospital’s formulary. There are also questions about the potential impact of current biosimilars after the patent expires.²

“The introduction of additional biosimilars signals a real savings opportunity for health care organizations and their patients,” Lucio said in the press release.

References

References

1. Vizient, Inc. New Survey from Vizient Provides Hospital Insights into Biosimilar Adoption and What is Preventing Greater Utilization. August 23, 2022. Accessed on August 23, 2022.
2. 2022 Biosimilar Survey Results. Irving, TX: Vizient, Inc.; 2022. https://www.vizientinc.com/-/media/documents/sitecorepublishingdocuments/public/biosimilar_survey_detailed_results.pdf Accessed August 23, 2022
3. Jeremias, Skylar. Vizient Survey Reveals Provider Motivations for Choosing Biosimilar Over Humira. AJMC. August 23, 2022. Accessed on August 23, 2022.