2022 — a turning point for US biosimilars?

Cardinal Health says the majority of healthcare providers are keen to use biosimilars despite current market challenges

The publication, 2022 Biosimilars Report: The US Journey and Path Ahead, not only provides insights on where biosimilar adoption currently stands, it also predicts what the industry can expect in 2022 and beyond as biosimilars come to market in key disease categories such as diabetes and immunology. In addition, the report highlights the pipeline of biosimilars expected to launch in the US during the period 2022–2029.

Key findings, which are based on "robust" data also included in the report, reveal that although biosimilar market challenges remain, the majority of healthcare providers are keen to use biosimilars to widen patient access and to drive more affordable care for their patients.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, Cardinal Health conducted biosimilar surveys with more than 320 oncologists, 100 rheumatologists, 100 retina specialists, 50 endocrinologists and primary care physicians treating diabetes, and 115 retail pharmacists.

The research includes results from a new insulin biosimilar survey with retail pharmacists showing that only about 40% feel very prepared to discuss biosimilars with patients, yet three-quarters of surveyed physicians and pharmacists agreed that insulin biosimilars will lower the cost of diabetes care.

The same survey also shows that only 20% of retain pharmacists say they are very familiar with the FDA's interchangeability designation, which enables them to substitute insulin biosimilars in place of reference biologics, indicating a significant need for further education among pharmacists.

Furthermore, the number of biologics facing biosimilar competition is expected to double by 2025, which is positive news for patients.