title: The economic implications of biosimilars.
abstract: Between 2013 and 2014, spending on specialty drugs, including biologics, increased 32.4%, while spending on small-molecule drugs increased just 6.8%. By 2016, 8 of the 10 top-selling drugs are expected to be biologics. While many biologics will be going off patent, there will likely be multiple prospective manufacturers of biosimilars, and a growing emphasis on regulatory guidelines to ensure their efficacy and safety, in the very near future. A strong factor and assumption surrounding biosimilar development and use is the potential for healthcare cost savings; the introduction of biosimilars is expected to reduce drug costs, although to a lesser degree than seen with small-molecule generic drugs. Managed care clinicians and providers must carefully consider the economic implications and potential cost-effectiveness of uptake of biosimilars for therapy in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: surya.singh@cvshealth.com.
authors.forename: Surya C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bagnato
mesh_terms: D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000191:economics*; D017046:Cost Savings; D017277:Drug Approval; D016527:Drug Costs; D004465:Economic Competition; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals