In a recent publication in BioDrugs, researchers sought to evaluate the impact of the availability of adalimumab biosimilar on adalimumab budget savings using data from 14 high- and upper-middle-income countries.
From the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018 to Q4 of 2019, the researchers employed data from the Multinational Integrated Data Analysis System (MIDAS)-IQVIA and compared the adalimumab expenditure (in U.S. dollars) and consumption (in standard units [SU]) from 14 countries (Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan).
The researchers then categorized the countries into two groups based on the availability of adalimumab biosimilars during the study period. A “difference-in-difference” design was utilized to examine the groups, concentrating on changes from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019. During the study period, changes in adalimumab expenditure were broken down based on price, quantity, and drug mix.
The results revealed that among countries with adalimumab biosimilars, there was a noteworthy decline in expenditure (–$371.0 per gross domestic product per capita; P = .03) over four quarters, while the utilization was meaningfully augmented (1.0 SU per 1,000 population; P = .02).
The authors wrote, “This was consistent with visual observations and differed from countries without adalimumab biosimilar. Sensitivity analysis with a narrowed list of countries (12 high-income countries) showed a consistent trend. Adalimumab expenditure decreased by 14% during the study period in countries where adalimumab biosimilars were available, mainly due to the price changes (Pt = 0.85; –15%) and the drug-mix effect (εt = 0.88; –12%). Yet, adalimumab expenditure (Et = 1.04; +4%) changed in a quantity-dependent manner (Qt = 1.06; +6%) in countries where adalimumab biosimilars were absent.”
The authors noted that crucial takeaways from their findings were uptake of biosimilars varies from country to country; availability of adalimumab biosimilars reduced adalimumab expenditures while also expanding its use in clinical practice; and the significance of introducing biosimilars as an approach to optimize healthcare expenditure while ensuring patient access to vital treatments.
Based on their findings, the authors concluded that the availability of biosimilars was correlated with a decline in adalimumab expenditure without affecting its utilization.
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