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Biosimilars: A Value Proposition

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Abstract

Biosimilars are biological agents that effectively replicate original reference products. The main driver of their development is the promise of bringing competition into the marketplace, and consequently contributing to the sustainability of healthcare systems. By reducing financial barriers to biological therapies, biosimilars play a part in budgetary redistribution and, hence, in increasing patients’ access to treatment. They also foster innovation and deliver other non-price-driven advantages. However, the market is such that harmonization of pricing of reference biologics and biosimilars may dissuade physicians from prescribing biosimilars and often creates an unfavorable market environment for the launch of biosimilars. Such dynamics result in a high cost by denying patients the full benefits and added value inherent in biosimilar agents. A more equitable offering of established original biologics and biosimilars is needed to ensure the viability of current healthcare services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Toxicology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Fernando de Mora

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  1. Fernando de Mora
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Correspondence to Fernando de Mora.

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No funding was received for the drafting of this review.

Conflict of interest

Within the past 5 years, Dr de Mora has served as speaker/consultant for assorted pharmaceutical companies (including Amgen, Biogen, Celltrion, Finox, Gebro, Hikma, Hospira, KernPharma, Lilly, Mylan, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Stada, and Theramex) producing biosimilars or original biologics and for biosimilar company associations. He also collaborates with healthcare administrations and other non-governmental organizations from European and non-European jurisdictions on biosimilar science, regulation, clinical use, and market trends.

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de Mora, F. Biosimilars: A Value Proposition. BioDrugs 33, 353–356 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40259-019-00360-7

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