Expanded access to cancer treatments from conversion to neutropenia prophylaxis with biosimilar filgrastim-sndz

Future Oncol. 2017 Oct;13(25):2285-2295. doi: 10.2217/fon-2017-0374. Epub 2017 Sep 5.

Abstract

Aim: Biosimilar medicines offer significant cost-savings potential over their reference products, which can be re-allocated to provide access to other cancer treatments on a budget-neutral basis.

Methods: Simulation study using cost data for the USA under consideration of several prophylaxis patterns.

Results: Potential savings from conversion from reference filgrastim to biosimilar filgrastim-sndz are significant. These savings expand budget-neutral access to novel immunotherapies (obinutuzumab; pembrolizumab) or supportive care (filgrastim-sndz).

Conclusion: The combination of biosimilar savings and expanded access increases the value of cancer care as the same supportive care is provided at lower cost, additional cancer care is enabled at no additional cost, and more patients will have access to cancer care.

Keywords: biosimilars; neutropenia; pharmacoeconomics.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / economics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / economics
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / economics
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Drug Costs
  • Drug Substitution
  • Filgrastim / drug effects*
  • Filgrastim / economics
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Hematologic Agents / economics
  • Hematologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neutropenia / epidemiology
  • Neutropenia / etiology*
  • Neutropenia / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
  • Hematologic Agents
  • pembrolizumab
  • Filgrastim