Cost savings of biosimilars in oncology: A single institution experience.

Authors

null

Megan Mullalley

Intermountain Healthcare, Sandy, UT

Megan Mullalley, Whitney Mortensen, Phillip Barnette, Bradley Hunter, Terence Duane Rhodes, Derrick S. Haslem, David Michael Gill

Organizations

Intermountain Healthcare, Sandy, UT, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, CAMC Health System, Charleston, WV

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Biosimilar medications have increasingly gained regulatory approvals in recent years. Numerous conditions in the fields of hematology, oncology, rheumatology, and endocrinology have a biosimilar treatment option available. Some biosimilar agents can be obtained at a significantly lower cost than reference medications. Methods: Intermountain Healthcare Oncology Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) committee manages and maintains the formulary of accepted drugs. The committee consists of pharmacists, medical oncologists and oncology nurses. Biosimilar medications were approved in place of reference medications for the following: pegfilgrastim, bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and rituximab. Results: Annually, we administer about 6,450 combined doses of pegfilgastrim, bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and rituximab. Assuming 70% conversion from the reference medication to biosimilar agent, transitioning from the above listed reference medications to biosimilar would save an estimated $6.3 million annually (Table). This includes a $1.75 million savings from transitioning to rituximab alone. In addition, transitioning trastuzumab from a single dose vial to multi-dose vials is estimated to save an addition $730,000. Conclusions: Biosimilar agents can reduce the cost of oncology care to patients treated at our institution. We are utilizing biosimilar agents as part of our ongoing mission to decrease the financial toxicity of treatment for patients with cancer.

Reference MedicationDoses Administered Annually2021 Savings
Pegfilgastrim2,650$696,000
Bevacizumab1,500$1,700,000
Trastuzumab1,200$1,350,000
Rituximab1,100$2,500,000
Total6,450$6,246,000

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Rapid Oral Abstract Session

Session Title

Rapid Abstract Session D: Biosimilar, Drug, and Resource Utilization

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Patient Experience,Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science

Sub Track

Value/Cost of Care

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38, 2020 (suppl 29; abstr 10)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.29_suppl.10

Abstract #

10

Abstract Disclosures

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