(031) Impact of Introducing Infliximab Biosimilars on Total Infliximab Consumption and Originator Infliximab Prices in Eight Regions: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Post-doctoral Fellow The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Background: Biosimilars have improved patient access to biologic therapy and reduced drug costs in many European countries but there is limited evidence of this effect in other geographic regions.
Objectives: We aimed to assess whether the introduction of the first infliximab biosimilar was associated with changes in overall infliximab consumption (originator and biosimilars) and price changes to the originator infliximab.
Methods: Interrupted time series analysis of infliximab sales data from 2010-2020 obtained from the IQVIA Multinational Integrated Data Analysis System for eight selected regions: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Quarterly measures of infliximab consumption and list prices were respectively defined as the number of standard units (SU)/1000 inhabitants and as 2020 US dollars (USD)/SU.
Results: Following the introduction of infliximab biosimilars, overall infliximab consumption increased in Australia [immediate change: 0.145 SU/1000 inhabitants (P=0.014); long-term change: 0.022 SU/1000 inhabitants per quarter (P < 0.001)], Canada [immediate change 0.415 (P=0.008)], the UK [(long-term change 0.024 (P < 0.001)], and Hong Kong [(immediate change: 0.042 (P < 0.001)]. The list price of originator infliximab also decreased following biosimilar introduction in Australia [immediate change: -187.84 USD/SU (P < 0.001); long-term change -6.46 USD/SU per quarter (P=0.043)], Canada [immediate change: -145.58 (P < 0.001)], the UK [immediate change: -34.95 (P=0.010); long-term change: -4.77 (P < 0.001)], and Hong Kong [long-term change: -4.065 (P=0.046)]. Consumption and price changes were inconsistent in India, Japan, Korea, and the US.
Conclusions: Introduction of the first infliximab biosimilar was not consistently associated with increased consumption across regions. Additional policy and healthcare system interventions to support biosimilar infliximab adoption are needed.
