Biosimilar Epoetin in the United States: A View from the Southern Network on Adverse Reactions.

Abstract

Biosimilar drugs, close copies of patented biologicals, are intended to provide access to less expensive, highly similar versions of reference (previously approved) biological agents (Kozlowski et al. in N Engl J Med 365:385-388, 2011). The biological epoetin accounts for $1.8 billion in drug spending annually worldwide (primarily for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease or anemia due to cancer chemotherapy.).