Utilization management for biosimilars

When we think of utilization management (e.g., prior authorizations, step edits), we often think payers only use these for higher cost branded products including biologics. Generic drugs should have low cost sharing and limited utilization management. One question, however, is whether payers’ utilization management practices for biosimilars mirror those of biologic products, or small-molecule generics,…

The slow uptake of biosimilars in the US

From Cahan, Kocher, and Bohn in the Health Affairs blog: Since passage of the 2010 “Biosimilars” Act aimed at stimulating non-inferior innovation and competition in therapeutics markets, only 17 agents have been approved, and only seven have made it to market. Why haven’t biosimilars been more attractive? Blackstone et al. (2013) cites 3 key issues:…