Evaluation of real-world cost savings and utilization of biosimilar drugs in a community-based oncology practice.

Authors

null

Amit Sanyal

SSM Health Cancer Care, Madison, WI

Amit Sanyal, Michelle Schmitt, Daniel Wellner

Organizations

SSM Health Cancer Care, Madison, WI

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: Biosimilar drugs, defined as biologic products with no clinically significant differences in quality, efficacy and safety compared to approved reference products have gained increasing adoption based on studies projecting significant cost savings[1]. Real world evaluation of biosimilar related cost savings and adoption is however still limited. We prospectively evaluate cost savings generated by transitioning to biosimilar monoclonal antibodies in a community based oncology practice. Methods: In July 2020, a process for transitioning patients to biosimilar equivalents of Rituximab, Trastuzumab and Bevacizumab was implemented in a community based oncology practice. Provider adoption was facilitated by monthly oncology pharmacy governance meetings that allowed provider participation and feedback followed by defaulting the preferred biosimilar product in oncology chemotherapy software (Epic Beacon, Epic Systems, Verona, WI). The treatment templates allowed for care personalization by listing reference products that could be chosen if desired. Cost savings achieved by switching to biosimilars was calculated by subtracting the actual spending on the biosimilar product from projected acquisition cost of the branded reference product (Table). Biosimilar adoption, defined as amount of biosimilar drug used over total amount of the drug ordered was also calculated. Results: Between July 2020 and April 2021, transitioning to biosimilar products for Rituximab, Bevacizumab and Trastuzumab resulted in net savings of $268,194.64, $285,251.89 and $274,359.51 respectively. Actual spending on Rituximab biosimilar product was $726,476.10 against a projected spending of $994,670.74 on the branded reference product. Actual spending on Bevacizumab biosimilar product was $1,254,977.30 against a projected spending of $1,540,229.19 on the branded reference product. Actual spending on Trastuzumab biosimilar product was $1,218,641.60 against a projected spending of $1,493,001.11 on the branded product. Average biosimilar utilization between October 2020 and April 2020 has been 92%, 100% and 98% for Rituximab, Bevacizumab and Trastuzumab respectively. Conclusions: Significant cost-savings can result from widespread utilization of biosimilar drugs in community oncology practices. References: Mulcahy, A.W., J.P. Hlavka, and S.R. Case, Biosimilar Cost Savings in the United States: Initial Experience and Future Potential. Rand Health Q, 2018. 7(4): p. 3.

Drug
Actual Spend-Biosimilar
Projected Spend-Branded Drug
Savings
Biosimilar Utilization
Rituximab
$ 726,476.10
$ 994,670.74
$268,194.64
92%
Bevacizumab
$ 1,254,977.30
$ 1,540,229.19
$285,251.89
100%
Trastuzumab
$ 1,218,641.60
$ 1,493,001.11
$274,359.51
98%

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cost, Value, and Policy; Health Equity and Disparities; Patient Experience

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 39, 2021 (suppl 28; abstr 73)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.39.28_suppl.73

Abstract #

73

Poster Bd #

C8

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

Abstract

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Real-world trends in biosimilar prescribing among oncology providers, 2019-2021.

First Author: Kelly A. McGlynn

First Author: Jingyan Yang