Cancer biosimilars associated with lower costs for insurers and patients
Biologic drugs play an important role in treating cancers such as breast cancer and lymphoma, but their high costs can add to the financial burden of cancer care. Now, lower-cost versions known as biosimilars are gaining ground, and a new study led by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests their growing use is associated with lower costs for both insurers and…
A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that the growing use of lower-cost biosimilars in cancer treatment is associated with reduced costs for both insurers and patients. The findings, published in JAMA Oncology, show that patients with cancer who exclusively used biosimilars had average monthly costs that were $3,820 lower for insurers and $39.50 lower out of pocket compared to those who exclusively used the original branded biologic drugs.
The study, which analyzed health insurance claims data from 14,655 patient-drug pairs, provides evidence that market competition enabled by the entry of biosimilars may help reduce the cost of cancer biologic drugs, addressing the significant financial burden cancer treatment can place on patients and contributing to better health outcomes.
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