PBI20 EVALUATION OF THE COST SAVING POTENTIAL OF INTRODUCING AN ADALIMUMAB BIOSIMILAR FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALL LICENSED ADULT ADALIMUMAB INDICATIONS IN THE UK

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Anti-TNFs are the most commonly used biologics in rheumatologic, gastroenterological and dermatological immune diseases in the UK with three of these drugs ranking in the top NHS drug spend. The biosimilars’ introduction as a treatment option is an opportunity to achieve cost savings within the healthcare environment. NHS England has adopted the “Commissioning Framework for Biological medicines” to drive the most cost effective prescribing. This study objective was to assess the possible budget impact of introducing an adalimumab biosimilar within the UK for all licensed adult adalimumab indications. A budget-impact model was used to estimate the cost saving potential of introducing an adalimumab biosimilar vs the adalimumab reference biologic over a one-year time horizon from the regional payer’s perspective. Current adalimumab treated population has been estimated through national “Invitation to Tender” data and the population was assumed to remain constant during the 12-month period. A scenario was developed with adalimumab biosimilar adoptions of 80% uptake at 12 months. Prices for the reference biologic were obtained from published sources. An average nurse salary was assumed to be mid-point (band 6) on current payscales. Adalimumab biosimilar introduction into the biologic treatment setting in the UK resulted in projected budget savings over the 3, 6 and 12-month time horizon of £229m. £200m and £186m in the modelled scenario respectively with recognised market discounting. This could generate savings equivalent to an additional 25,000, 21,800 and 20,300 patient-years of adalimumab treatment or equivalent to salaries of an additional 6,000, 5,400 or 5,000 nurses for the healthcare system respectively. Adalimumab biosimilar introduction represents substantial cost-saving opportunities for the NHS. Regional policies toward biosimilars influence their adoption thus impacting upon saving potential. Collaborative agreements at regional levels between payers and prescribers may create more cost-efficient use of medicines whilst releasing investment to enhance care pathways.