Biosimilar Versus Patented Erythropoietins: Learning from 5 Years of European and Japanese Experience

François Bocquet, Pascal Paubel, Isabelle Fusier, Anne-Laure Cordonnier, Martine Sinègre and Claude Le Pen
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François Bocquet: IDS - U1145 - Institut Droit et Santé - UPD5 - Université Paris Descartes - Paris 5 - INSERM - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
Pascal Paubel: IDS - U1145 - Institut Droit et Santé - UPD5 - Université Paris Descartes - Paris 5 - INSERM - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
Isabelle Fusier: Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades [AP-HP] - AP-HP - Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
Anne-Laure Cordonnier: Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades [AP-HP] - AP-HP - Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
Martine Sinègre: Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades [AP-HP] - AP-HP - Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
Claude Le Pen: LEDa - Laboratoire d'Economie de Dauphine - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: Background Patent expiries on leading biologics are creating new momentum in the market for biosimilars (copies of off-patent biologics), paving the way for their development. However, little is known about the factors influencing the competition between biosimilars and their reference products (REF). Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse key global erythropoietin (EPO) markets and factors affecting biosimilar EPO (BIOSIM-EPO) uptakes, and to identify countries where BIOSIM-EPOs have gained significant market shares. Methods Inclusion criteria for countries in the study were a biosimilar regulatory framework similar to the EU framework, and biological market value higher than US$2.5 billion. Factors evaluated included EPO market size, EPO retail/hospital distribution mix, national incentives to use biosimilars and BIOSIM-EPO/REF price differences. IMS Health provided EPO consumption in volumes, values, and EPO ex-manufacturer prices from 2007 to 2012. Results Japan: large-sized market, mixed retail/hospital distribution, no incentives, low BIOSIM-EPO uptake (6.8 % in 2012). France: large-sized market, dominant retail distribution, no incentives, low BIOSIM-EPO uptake (5.8 %). Spain and Italy: medium-sized market, dominant hospital distribution, no incentives, moderate BIOSIM-EPO uptakes (11.5 and 8.6 %). Germany: small-sized market, dominant retail distribution, presence of incentives, high BIOSIM-EPO uptake (30.4 %). UK: small-sized market, mixed retail/hospital distribution, no incentives, low BIOSIM-EPO uptake (2.0 %). BIOSIM-EPO/REF price differences play no role at a global level (−10.8 % in Germany and −26.9 % in Japan). Conclusions EPO markets have proven to be highly country-specific. EPO market sizes, EPO retail/hospital distribution mixes and BIOSIM-EPO/REF price differences may not be determining factors of BIOSIM-EPO uptakes. Prescription and substitution incentives to use BIOSIM-EPO appear to be determining factors in Germany. The heterogeneity of national EPO markets makes it impossible to outline country profile types with significant BIOSIM-EPO penetrations.

Keywords: Drug industry; Medical economics; Erythropoietins (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Published in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 2015, 13 (1), ⟨10.1007/s40258-014-0125-6⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01507258

DOI: 10.1007/s40258-014-0125-6

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