Celebrating the Potential of Biosimilars

Following the UK Labour government’s damning assessment of its National Health Service (NHS) last Autumn as “broken but not beaten”, it is clear that the challenge of building sustainable healthcare systems is colossal, but not insurmountable. With a national consultation on how to sustain the NHS over the foreseeable future in motion, the world’s healthcare systems should take this time to take stock of all the tools at their disposal.  

The rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune conditions is at the crux of the challenge that lies ahead. Over five million people in the UK, for example, are now living with diabetes; cancer incidence rates have increased by over 13 percent since the early 1990s; and autoimmune disorders currently affect about one in ten individuals. These debilitating diseases not only impact the patients diagnosed with them, but their families as well – notwithstanding the effects on productivity and economic output.

The prevalence of several chronic diseases is forecast to significantly increase over the next twenty years, largely because of an aging population. The number of people living with major illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases is projected to increase by 2040, particularly in those aged 70 and older. This direction of travel is mirrored across Europe, where the number of those suffering from chronic diseases – currently one quarter of the European working age population – is set to further increase in line with a growing and aging population.   

Biologics, being more targeted in nature than traditional small molecule medicines, have transformed our ability to treat a multitude of chronic diseases and improve patient outcomes. However, the promise of these medicines has not been fully realized, partly because of high costs. Thus, there is an important role for biosimilars to play. Once launched, biosimilars typically lead to a reduction in prices overall as competition increases. They play an important part in contributing to the sustainability of our healthcare systems and equitable access to healthcare. Crucially, the adoption of biosimilars allows health systems to provide essential medicines to patients at an earlier stage in their disease journey, increasing the time that patients are able to effectively manage their symptoms and improving their quality of life. The increased competition initiated by biosimilars can also trigger innovation with new formulations and pre-filled devices for quicker administration and improved patient convenience.  

The cost savings from biosimilars hold huge potential and can be used to help health systems free up resources to invest in improving the overall quality of patient care. Biosimilars and generics currently account for four in every five NHS prescription medicines and save the NHS up to £300 million each year. This, however, is only the tip of the iceberg. With 85 patents for essential biologics due to expire between now and 2028, there will be a huge opportunity to further capitalize on the benefits of biosimilars. Cost savings can be used to increase access to affordable biologics and other innovative life-enhancing treatments and services. For example, in oncology, savings made by the use of biosimilars enable the reallocation of resources to critical supportive treatments, such as education, prevention programs, and advanced treatments.   

Ultimately, the availability of cost-effective biosimilars can improve patient and system access to essential biologic medicines. Furthermore, the presence of multiple biosimilar manufacturers fosters competition, which can lead to more robust and flexible supply chains, with manufacturers incentivized to optimize their logistics and distribution strategies.  

A unified effort 
 

Although the NHS has been a great advocate of biosimilars adoption, with the UK having one of the highest uptake rates for biosimilars in Europe, the full potential of biosimilars has not yet been realized. Strong collaboration across the whole biosimilars ecosystem is crucial if we are to maximize their positive impact. The many biologic patents that are due to expire in the next few years represent an enormous opportunity in terms of cost-savings and increasing patient access to essential medicines. It is crucial for governments to capitalize on this. Policy makers must do everything they can to meet ambitious biosimilars adoption targets.   

Effective communication about what biosimilars are and how they benefit healthcare systems is also pivotal to successful biosimilars adoption, and governments, alongside pharma manufacturers, must invest in educational programs for healthcare professionals and patients to increase awareness and understanding of biosimilars. Biosimilars companies also have a vital role to play in helping to build sustainable healthcare with increased access to biosimilars, and supporting healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients in making a smooth transition from biologics to biosimilars.