PHP57 - The uptake of Biosimilar products by British formularies

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A “biosimilar” is a biological medicine similar to a licensed biological medicine (“originator”). As of October 2014, six biosimilars are licensed and marketed in Great Britain (GB) (three biosimilar filgrastims, two biosimilar epoetins and one biosimilar somatropin). Biological medicines are highly costly to the NHS, so it is expected that biosimilars will have an increasing presence as a cost-saving mechanism. This study explored the uptake of biosimilars within GB formularies. METHODS: Websites of acute trusts in England and health boards in Scotland and Wales were searched for the most recent drug formularies. The presence of biosimilars in a formulary was examined for all six products. Formularies that listed at least one biosimilar were considered to have a positive recognition of these products. RESULTS: Of 158 acute trusts in England and 21 health boards in Scotland and Wales, 176 websites were available, providing 144 formularies (England: 127, Scotland: 9; Wales: 7; England/Scotland shared: 1). 17 formularies were shared across trusts and boards. At least one biosimilar was listed in 63 formularies. While 45 formularies listed at least one biosimilar filgrastim, 31 and 17 formularies listed biosimilar somatropin and epoetin, respectively. Five formularies listed at least one biosimilar from each of the three classes, 20 formularies listed at least one from two classes, and 38 formularies listed at least one from only one class. In 19 formularies, at least one biosimilar was listed in preference to an originator product as first line therapy (filgrastim: 16; somatropin: 5; epoetin: 1). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey suggest that 44% of formularies in Great Britain list at least one biosimilar, and in 30% of these, these are listed in preference to the originator product. This appears to be a low level of penetration into formularies given that these biosimilars have been available for over five years.