Vogler, Sabine; Zimmermann, Nina (2022): Policies to enhance use of biosimilar medicines in 50 countries. Can policy makers draw on learnings from generic policies? European Health Economics Association (EuHEA) Conference, 7. Juli 2022, Oslo.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL (please open in a new browser tab/window): https://euhea.eu/abstracts_conference_2022.html

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Biosimilar medicines allow access to biological therapies at more affordable prices. Thus, pricing policies and demand-side measures for biosimilar medicines are considered as important policy option to ensure sustainable and equitable access to medicines. The study explored policies that governments use to set the price of biosimilar medicines and to enhance their uptake. *** METHODS: In December 2021, a survey was conducted with the members of the Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI) network. PPRI comprises competent authorities for pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies and public payers represented in 52 countries, including all 28 European Union Member States, further countries in the WHO European region, Australia, Brazil and Canada. Data relate to Q4/2021. Findings are preliminary since validation is still ongoing. *** RESULTS: 27 of the 38 countries that set the price of generic medicines in relation to those of originators also do so for biosimilars (price link policy). The required price difference between the biosimilar and the biological originator (frequently 15%-20%) is usually lower than for generics. 19 countries were identified to apply competitive, tendering-like elements for off-patent medicines used in the outpatient sector, but not all countries have included biologicals in their tendering systems. Prescribing by International Non-Proprietary Name (INN) is in place in 46 of the studied countries, thereof it is obligatory in 20 countries. However, a few countries (e.g. Belgium, France, UK) exclude biologicals from INN prescribing. While the prescribing doctor is encouraged to switch from the biological to a biosimilar or between biosimilars in most countries, only 24 countries allow, under certain conditions, biosimilar substitution at community pharmacy level (compared to 48 countries with generic substitution). Norway introduced biosimilar substitution in 2021, and Germany will do so in summer 2022. *** DISCUSSIOM: While pricing and demand-side policies are standard for generics, this is not the case for biosimilar medicines. Acknowledging that successful generic policies cannot simply be copied, they offer, however, important learnings. Demand-side measures to improve the uptake of off-patent medicines – chemical molecules or biologicals – need to ensure acceptance of these medicines by prescribers, dispensers and patients. Thus, in developing biosimilar medicine policies, policy makers can draw from lessons learned: among others, it is key that health professionals and patients understand and trust off-patent medicines.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Lecture)
Subjects: OEBIG > Pharmaoekonomie
Date Deposited: 12 Mar 2023 09:33
Last Modified: 12 Mar 2023 09:33
URI: https://jasmin.goeg.at/id/eprint/2711