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Fasseeh AN, Elezbawy B, El-Fass KA, GamaI M, Seyam A, Hayek N, Abdel Rahman N, Abdelhamid S, Fasseeh N, Saad AS, Elagamy A, Mahmoud A, Sedrak AS, Elshazly K, Eldebeiky M, Talaat M, Mohamed NM, Abdelaziz RA, Refaat R, Akeel S, Abaza S, Kaló Z. Maximizing the benefits of using biosimilars in Egypt. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:79. [PMID: 37365620 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00581-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biosimilars constitute a pathway for sustainable financing of healthcare systems in the era of expensive biologics. However, such a pathway is not free of challenges. Since the biosimilars market is expanding in Egypt, there is an urgent need for a policy framework to optimize their use and diffusion in the market. We aim to characterize a national framework based on the experiences of other countries and consultation with local experts. METHODS A narrative literature review was conducted to identify biosimilars' policy elements worldwide. A workshop was organized with experts to discuss the narrative review findings and create consensus on recommendations. RESULTS The narrative literature review highlighted the need for biosimilar policy actions in four areas: market authorization, pricing, reimbursement, and uptake. Eighteen experts representing the Egyptian healthcare authorities attended the workshop. The most significant conclusions from the workshop included setting the price of the biosimilar at 30-40% less than its originator's price and establishing financing protocols, in which the more expensive biologics with significant price premiums should be excluded from the formulary. CONCLUSIONS A summarized national framework policy recommendation for biosimilars was created by local experts from the main public healthcare entities in Egypt. These recommendations coincide with the international policies adopted across different countries that aim to improve patient access while sustaining health expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Nader Fasseeh
- Syreon Middle East, Alexandria, Egypt.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | | | | | - Mary GamaI
- Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Seyam
- Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha Hayek
- Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | | | | | - Nader Fasseeh
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed Elagamy
- Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Amal Samir Sedrak
- Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mariam Eldebeiky
- Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Remonda Refaat
- Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Akeel
- Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Zoltán Kaló
- Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
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Fisher A, Kim JD, Dormuth CR. Monitoring a Mandatory Nonmedical Switching Policy from Originator to Biosimilar Infliximab in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2023; 2023:2794220. [PMID: 36911254 PMCID: PMC9995207 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2794220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background On September 5, 2019, British Columbia announced a new policy (the Biosimilars Initiative) to switch from originator to biosimilar infliximab for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Objective To monitor the impacts of the policy on the use of medications and health services during the first year of the policy. Methods In this population-based cohort study, we used administrative health data to construct three historical cohorts and one policy cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases who used the originator infliximab. We then monitored the cumulative incidence of medications and health services. Log-likelihood ratios were used to quantify differences between the policy cohort and the average of the historical cohorts. Results The cohorts included 1839-2368 users of the originator infliximab, ages 4-90 years, mean age 43 years. During the first year of follow-up, we found: (1) a 0.9% increase in the first dispensation of infliximab, biosimilar, or originator; (2) a 16.2% increase in infliximab dose escalation; (3) a decrease of 2.4% in the dispensation of antibiotics and a 2.6% decrease in new use of prednison; (4) an anticipated increase in visits to physicians and gastroenterologists to manage switching to biosimilars (24.0%); (5) a 4.0% decrease in discharges from hospital; and (6) a 2.9% decrease in emergency admissions to hospital. Conclusion British Columbia's Biosimilars Initiative for nonmedical switching from originator to biosimilar infliximab for inflammatory bowel diseases was not associated with harmful impacts on medications and health services use. An increase in dose escalation was accompanied by an improvement in health status proxies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Fisher
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jason D. Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Colin R. Dormuth
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia Victoria Office, Suite 210, 1110 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Y2, Canada
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Tesar T, Golias P, Masarykova L, Kawalec P, Inotai A. The Impact of Reimbursement Practices on the Pharmaceutical Market for Off-Patent Medicines in Slovakia. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:795002. [PMID: 34966285 PMCID: PMC8710743 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.795002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of selected legislative initiatives and their implementation for off-patent medicinal products in Slovakia compared with the rest of the Visegrád Group (V4 countries). Methods: We analyzed the development of applications for the reimbursement of generic and biosimilar drugs. Particular emphasis was placed on a) the availability and penetration of biosimilars from 2006 to 2020 in Slovakia, b) a comparative analysis of biosimilars in V4 countries based on the national reimbursement lists of medicinal products for August 2021. Data relating to the sales of generic and biosimilar medicines in Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia were based on the IQVIA MIDAS MAT July 2021. Results: The number of applications for the reimbursement of generic drugs decreased from 296 in 2016 to 165 in 2020. In financial terms, the sales of generic medicines in Slovakia increased from 21.7% in 2015 to 22.3% in 2020. Over the same period, the sales of generic drugs in Poland fell from 40.4% in 2015 to 35.0% in 2020, from 26.2 to 22.1% in Hungary, and from 29.6 to 20.4% in Czechia. When considering the 66 biosimilars registered by the European Medicines Agency 38 drugs (58%) were available on the Slovak market as of August 1, 2021; this compared to 32 drugs (48%) in Poland, 38 drugs (58%) in Hungary, and 40 drugs (61%) in Czechia. In financial terms, the sales of biosimilars in Slovakia increased from 0.94% in 2015 to 2.00% in 2020. Over the same period, the sales of biosimilars in Poland increased from 0.59% in 2015 to 1.29% in 2020, from 0.72 to 2.23% in Hungary, and from 0.76 to 2.15% in Czechia. Conclusion: To intensify the use of generic and biosimilar medicines, we suggest the comprehensive re-evaluation of combinations of the three-threshold entry, the amount of mandatory price reductions, and external reference pricing requirements (as the average of the three lowest prices among the official prices of a medicinal product in other Member States) for generic and biosimilar drugs. We also suggest cancellation of the exception from the fixed co-payment of the insured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Tesar
- Department of Organization and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Golias
- Institute for Economic and Social Reforms, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Masarykova
- Department of Organization and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Paweł Kawalec
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - András Inotai
- Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary.,Center of Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Godman B, Wladysiuk M, McTaggart S, Kurdi A, Allocati E, Jakovljevic M, Kalemeera F, Hoxha I, Nachtnebel A, Sauermann R, Hinteregger M, Marković-Peković V, Tubic B, Petrova G, Tachkov K, Slabý J, Nejezchlebova R, Krulichová IS, Laius O, Selke G, Langner I, Harsanyi A, Inotai A, Jakupi A, Henkuzens S, Garuolienė K, Gulbinovič J, Bonanno PV, Rutkowski J, Ingeberg S, Melien Ø, Mardare I, Fürst J, MacBride-Stewart S, Holmes C, Pontes C, Zara C, Pedrola MT, Hoffmann M, Kourafalos V, Pisana A, Banzi R, Campbell S, Wettermark B. Utilisation Trend of Long-Acting Insulin Analogues including Biosimilars across Europe: Findings and Implications. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:9996193. [PMID: 34676266 PMCID: PMC8526244 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9996193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus rates and associated costs continue to rise across Europe enhancing health authority focus on its management. The risk of complications is enhanced by poor glycaemic control, with long-acting insulin analogues developed to reduce hypoglycaemia and improve patient convenience. There are concerns though with their considerably higher costs, but moderated by reductions in complications and associated costs. Biosimilars can help further reduce costs. However, to date, price reductions for biosimilar insulin glargine appear limited. In addition, the originator company has switched promotional efforts to more concentrated patented formulations to reduce the impact of biosimilars. There are also concerns with different devices between the manufacturers. As a result, there is a need to assess current utilisation rates for insulins, especially long-acting insulin analogues and biosimilars, and the rationale for patterns seen, among multiple European countries to provide future direction. Methodology. Health authority databases are examined to assess utilisation and expenditure patterns for insulins, including biosimilar insulin glargine. Explanations for patterns seen were provided by senior-level personnel. RESULTS Typically increasing use of long-acting insulin analogues across Europe including both Western and Central and Eastern European countries reflects perceived patient benefits despite higher prices. However, activities by the originator company to switch patients to more concentrated insulin glargine coupled with lowering prices towards biosimilars have limited biosimilar uptake, with biosimilars not currently launched in a minority of European countries. A number of activities were identified to address this. Enhancing the attractiveness of the biosimilar insulin market is essential to encourage other biosimilar manufacturers to enter the market as more long-acting insulin analogues lose their patents to benefit all key stakeholder groups. CONCLUSIONS There are concerns with the availability and use of insulin glargine biosimilars among European countries despite lower costs. This can be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Magdalene Wladysiuk
- Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- HTA Consulting, Starowiślna Str. 17/3, 31-038 Krakow, Poland
| | - Stuart McTaggart
- Public Health Scotland, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Eleonora Allocati
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mihajlo Jakovljevic
- Department of Global Health Economics and Policy, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Institute of Comparative Economic Studies, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Francis Kalemeera
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Anna Nachtnebel
- Dachverband der Österreichischen Sozialversicherungen, Kundmanngasse 21, AT-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Sauermann
- Dachverband der Österreichischen Sozialversicherungen, Kundmanngasse 21, AT-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Hinteregger
- Dachverband der Österreichischen Sozialversicherungen, Kundmanngasse 21, AT-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanda Marković-Peković
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Biljana Tubic
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Agency for Medicinal Product and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Guenka Petrova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Konstantin Tachkov
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmacoeconomics, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Juraj Slabý
- State Institute for Drug Control, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Iva Selke Krulichová
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Simkova 870, 500 03 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ott Laius
- State Agency of Medicines, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gisbert Selke
- Wissenschaftliches Institut der AOK (WIdO), Rosenthaler Straße 31, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Langner
- Wissenschaftliches Institut der AOK (WIdO), Rosenthaler Straße 31, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - András Harsanyi
- Department of Health Policy and Health Economics, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Inotai
- Syreon Research Institute and Semmelweis University, Center of Health Technology Assessment, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Arianit Jakupi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, UBT Higher Education Institute, Pristina, Kosovo
| | | | - Kristina Garuolienė
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jolanta Gulbinovič
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Patricia Vella Bonanno
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Department of Health Services Management, University of Malta, Valletta, Malta
| | - Jakub Rutkowski
- HTA Consulting, Starowiślna Str. 17/3, 31-038 Krakow, Poland
| | - Skule Ingeberg
- Medicines Committee, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øyvind Melien
- Medicines Committee, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ileana Mardare
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Management Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 050463 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jurij Fürst
- Health Insurance Institute, Miklosiceva 24, SI-1507 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Caridad Pontes
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Corinne Zara
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Turu Pedrola
- Drug Department, Catalan Health Service, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Vasileios Kourafalos
- National Organization for the Provision of Healthcare Services (EOPYY), Athens, Greece
| | - Alice Pisana
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rita Banzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri' IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Bjorn Wettermark
- Department of Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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