Strategies for Therapeutic Interchange of Biotechnology Medicines: Proceedings of an Invitational Conference

Abstract

An invitational conference was held to plan a therapeutic interchange program for biotechnology products. The expanding use of biotechnology products has created new challenges and opportunities for organizations who want to implement these programs — with the dual goal of cutting costs and improving quality of care. Successful therapeutic interchange programs can use a variety of strategies, from gentle persuasion based on clinical effectiveness and cost savings to mandatory compliance and automatic substitution. After outlining risk-management considerations and motivations, as well as the barriers to the therapeutic interchange of biotechnology products, the participants identified the following key steps: (1) list biotechnology products that are potential candidates for therapeutic interchange; (2) establish an overall plan for therapeutic interchange programs; (3) select the specific biotechnology products that will be considered for therapeutic interchange; (4) devise a strategy for therapeutic interchange of the selected products; (5) implement the plan; and (6) track program success. The strategy must include a process for ongoing monitoring of clinical and economic outcomes to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and provide feedback to program participants.