Feasibility of and associated cost savings from transitioning to therapeutic biosimilar use in a large community oncology network.

Abstract

9 Background: The use of biosimilar drugs in the treatment of cancer offer an opportunity for oncology providers to decrease total cost of care while preserving quality. However, it remains unclear whether providers and patients may resist biosimilar use due to concerns over safety and efficacy. Our national network of 5 practices with over 100 clinics committed to a conversion to therapeutic biosimilars for trastuzumab and bevacizumab after their introduction in July 2019. Methods: Common steps to foster therapeutic biosimilar conversion included frequent communication from medical directors to providers and staff, incorporation of biosimilars into default treatment regimen orders, providing clinical teams lists identifying candidates for conversion, and tracking reasons why biosimilar switch did not occur. Most practices prioritized converting patients initiating new treatments, then later transitioning patients receiving maintenance therapy. This phased approach was taken to ensure that prior authorization and patient consent could be obtained prior to conversion. Rates of biosimilar use were calculated by comparing the number of administrations for which a biosimilar was given to the total number of administrations for which a biosimilar could have been given. Cost savings were calculated by comparing the difference in Medicare allowed rates for each originator and biosimilar drug pair at the time of administration. Results: Biosimilar use increased over time at all practices, from 0% to an average of 67% for trastuzumab and 78% for bevacizumab. The decrease in cost attributed to the use of biosimilars in the study period totaled over $4.4 million. Challenges to biosimilar use included physician preference for the originator drug, difference in preferred agents across payers, and challenges with biosimilar drug storage. Patients rarely had concerns over efficacy and safety. Conclusions: Therapeutic biosimilar adoption in a large oncology network is feasible and can lead to significant cost savings. [Table: see text]