A Budget Impact Analysis of Adalimumab Biosimilars; The Albanian Context

Abstract

Adalimumab is used to treat various autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Adalimumab biosimilars have the potential to reduce costs for the healthcare system. The aim of the study is to develop a drug budget impact analysis to assess the potential financial impact of the availability of the biosimilar adalimumab-aacf in terms of cost savings due to its lower price compared to adalimumab-adaz. Methods: This is a budget impact analysis and cost calculator model in Microsoft Excel based on FDSKSH’s data for 2023. Results: Adalimumab biosimilars accounted for approximately 25% of biologic drug prescriptions in 2023. The reimbursement cost of biologic drugs for autoimmune diseases was ALL 186,523,409 in 2023 (1 ALL = 0.01 USD). Of that cost, 15.21% accounted for treatment with adalimumab biosimilars. Adalimumab-aacf was available at a 15.82% lower price than adalimumab–adaz. The analysis indicated that the replacement of the biosimilar adalimumab-adaz with the biosimilar adalimumab-aacf could have resulted in cost savings of ALL 968,138, and the reimbursement cost of biologic drugs for autoimmune diseases could have been 3% lower. With the potential cost savings, two more patients could have had access to biologic drugs in 2023. Conclusions: The Drug Budget Impact Analysis estimated that the availability of adalimumab-aacf would be more profitable in terms of cost savings compared to adalimumab-adaz. The scenario could result in increased treatment access for patients.