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BIOSIMILARS: LET’S START RUNNING (submitted in 2019)

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European Statement

Clinical Pharmacy Services

Author(s)

Beatriz Zurita Alonso, Marta Martí Navarro, Monica Estelrich, Alejandro Ballestero Corominas, Anna Badell Giralt, Diana Patricia Vera Rodríguez, Milagros Ricse Salcedo, Roxana Rubio Vargas

Why was it done?

The use of biosimilar drugs has been a breakthrough to improve the sustainability of the health system. Although since 2015 position papers have been published by some scientific societies, there is no clear consensus about the recommendation for a switch from the original drug to its biosimilar. The rate of biosimilar use in our country is one of the lowest in Europe.

What was done?

The pharmacy service led the creation of a working group formed by rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists and pharmacists to promote the use of biosimilar drugs in our hospital.

How was it done?

The working group wrote a consensus document in which it was jointly decided to start all new biological treatments with biosimilars. In addition, it was decided that the prescribers would determine which patients were candidates for switch to a biosimilar based on clinical criteria. If the drug is administered subcutaneously, the pharmacist is responsible to explain the reason for the change and the management of the new device to the patient. In case of disagreement, the original is kept and communicated to the prescribing physician. If the drug is administered intravenously, it is the physician who informs the patient about the change.

What has been achieved?

From May 2019 to September 2019, 17 switches were made: 4 infliximab (66.7%), 9 adalimumab (10.1%) and 4 rituximab (80.0%). This measure led to an economic saving of €111,106.96 per year. Twenty new treatments with biosimilars were started: 1 with etanercept, 2 with infliximab, and 17 with adalimumab. This supposed an economic saving of €141,826.36/year if we compare with the cost of the original drug. The rate of antiTNF biosimilars increased from 33% to 48% in 5 months. None of the patients refused the use of a biosimilar. By now, all treatments maintain their effectiveness without safety issues. This optimisation of treatments will allow the hospital to treat a greater number of patients and invest in innovative treatments.

What next?

These results indicate a great opportunity to offer biological treatment to a higher number of patients every year. Therefore, our objective is to achieve the switch of remaining patients as it could generate an additional saving of €630,072.28 per year.

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