Are There Benefits and Risks to Biosimilars from a Patient Perspective?

Abstract

Biosimilars are copies of biologic medications, which no longer are protected by patent, that are intended to be marketed at lower prices than their reference products to increase patient access to treatment. Because a biosimilar must have equivalent pharmacokinetic parameters and efficacy and comparable safety and immunogenicity with its reference product, the only significant difference between the two should be cost. Lower-priced biosimilars are intended to introduce market competition. The availability of biosimilars should yield savings for the health care system and improve treatment outcomes by expanding patient access to effective medications. However, patients should partake of these cost savings.

Keywords: Biosimilar pharmaceuticals; Drug costs; Infliximab; Rheumatic diseases; Switching; Tumor necrosis factor antagonists & inhibitors.