Biosimilar medicines: OsMed reports on monitoring consumption and spending in Italy.

Abstract

The results of the OsMed reports of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) on consumption and expenditure related to biosimilar medicines show a high heterogeneity at the regional level, with great differences in terms of both consumption and price. In light of the potential savings and the growing number of biological medicines whose patents have expired or are about to expire, it is therefore desirable that the regions with the lowest levels of consumption take action to increase the awareness of health professionals on efficacy and safety of such treatments and the potential advantages in terms of sustainability of the national health system.