A successful model of biosimilar adoption in a community oncology practice.

Abstract

6514 Background: The emergence of biosimilars creates an opportunity for more cost-effective treatment. Utilization of biologics in cancer care has increased and accounts for 70% of oncologic drug spending growth from 2010 to 2015. Biosimilars can play a vital role in controlling this rapid rise in cost. Practices focused on Value Based Care arrangements, such as the Oncology Care Model, can reduce total cost of care by increasing utilization of biosimilars. The process of interchange is complicated by the designation of each biosimilar which prevents simple interchange. Communication with physicians and the healthcare team along with patient education and consent must be performed. We describe a successful model for therapeutic interchange of brand drugs to biosimilars. Methods: Texas Oncology elected to increase utilization of biosimilars in 2020. We collaborated with McKesson Specialty Health to create educational materials for patients and clinical staff. Communication was sent to all personnel about the therapeutic interchange process. A central pharmacy team reviewed all new orders and substituted a biosimilar for brand, unless a payer insisted on origin drug or a biosimilar not in the practice formulary. Additionally, a report was generated weekly of all existing patients who would benefit from switching. The pharmacists, upon consultation with the physician, then substituted a biosimilar for brand drug. Patients were then educated and re-consented. We started with rituximab in 07/2020 followed by bevacizumab in 09/2020 then trastuzumab in 10/2020. Results: The table below shows our conversion rate for all administrations. We were able to increase utilization of biosimilars from January of 2020 to December of 2020 from 5% to 80% for Rituximab, 9% to 88% for bevacizumab and 8% to 74% for trastuzumab. Based on average ASP for a 70 kg patient, the potential savings per administration is $550 for bevacizumab, $850 for trastuzumab, and $1400 for rituximab. In one month alone, this project dramatically reduced cost by $4 million or 21% by conversion to these three biosimilars. Additional savings can be realized with the use of biosimilar multi-dose vials vs single dose vials. Conclusions: Our comprehensive team approach successfully deploys therapeutic interchange of biosimilars for brand drugs in a community oncology practice which leads to substantial cost savings. This has real implications in controlling the total cost of care.[Table: see text]