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Title: | Policies for biosimilar uptake in Europe : an overview |
Authors: | Moorkens, Evelien Vulto, Arnold Huys, Isabelle Dylst, Pieter Godman, Brian Keuerleber, Simon Claus, Barbara Dimitrova, Maria Petrova, Guenka Sović-Brkičić, Ljiljana Slabý, Juraj Šebesta, Robin Laius, Ott Karr, Allan Beck, Morgane Martikainen, Jaana Selke, Gisbert W. Spillane, Susan McCullagh, Laura Trifirò, Gianluca Vella Bonanno, Patricia Mack, Asbjørn Fogele, Antra Viksna, Anita Władysiuk, Magdalena Mota-Filipe, Helder Meshkov, Dmitry Kalaba, Marija Mencej Bedrač, Simona Fürst, Jurij Zara, Corrine Skiöld, Peter Magnússon, Einar Simoens, Steven |
Keywords: | Drugs -- Law and legislation -- Europe Biopharmaceutics Pharmaceutical technology -- Europe Pharmacy -- Pharmacy |
Issue Date: | 2017 |
Publisher: | PloS |
Citation: | Moorkens, E., Vulto, A. G., Huys, I., Dylst, P., Godman, B., Keuerleber, S., ... & Simoens, S. (2017). Policies for biosimilar uptake in Europe: an overview. PloS One, 12(12). |
Abstract: | Background: Across European countries, differences exist in biosimilar policies, leading to variations in uptake of biosimilars and divergences in savings all over Europe. Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of different initiatives and policies that may influence the uptake of biosimilars in different European countries. Recommendations will be formulated on how to create sustainable uptake. Methods: An overview of policies on biosimilars was obtained via a questionnaire, supplemented with relevant articles. Topics were organized in five themes: availability, pricing, reimbursement, demand-side policies, and recommendations to enhance uptake. Results: In all countries studied, biological medicines are available. Restrictions are mainly dependent on local organization of the healthcare system. Countries are willing to include biosimilars for reimbursement, but for commercial reasons they are not always marketed. In two thirds of countries, originator and biosimilar products may be subjected to internal reference pricing systems. Few countries have implemented specific incentives targeting physicians. Several countries are implementing pharmacist substitution; however, the scope and rules governing such substitution tend to vary between these countries. Reported educational policies tend to target primarily physicians, whereas fewer initiatives were reported for patients. Recommendations as proposed by the different country experts ranged from the need for information and communication on biosimilars to competitive pricing, more support for switching and guidance on substitution. Conclusions: Most countries have put in place specific supply-side policies for promoting access to biosimilars. To supplement these measures, we propose that investments should be made to clearly communicate on biosimilars and educate stakeholders. Especially physicians need to be informed on the entry and use of biosimilars in order to create trust. When physicians are well-informed on the treatment options, further incentives should be offered to prescribe biosimilars. Gainsharing can be used as an incentive to prescribe, dispense or use biosimilars. This approach, in combination with binding quota, may support a sustainable biosimilar market. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/94371 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacHScHSM |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Policies_for_biosimilar_uptake_in_Europe_An_overview(2017).pdf | 941.44 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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