The expiry of Humira® market exclusivity and the entry of adalimumab biosimilars in Europe : an overview of pricing and national policy measures

Moorkens, Evelien and Godman, Brian and Huys, Isabelle and Hoxha, Iris and Malaj, Admir and Keuerleber, Simon and Stockinger, Silvia and Mörtenhuber, Sarah and Dimitrova, Maria and Tachkov, Konstantin and Vončina, Luka and Palčevski, Vera V. and Achniotou, Gnosia and Slabý, Juraj and Popelková, Leona and Kohoutová, Kateřina and Bartels, Dorthe and Laius, Ott and Martikainen, Jaana E. and Selke, Gisbert W. and Kourafalos, Vasileios and Magnusson, Einar and Einarsdóttir, Rannveig and Adams, Roisín and Joppi, Roberta and Allocati, Eleonora and Jakupi, Arianit and Viksna, Anita and Greičiūtė-Kuprijanov, Ieva and Vella Bonanno, Patricia and Suttorp, Vincent and Melien, Øyvind and Plisko, Robert and Mardare, Ileana and Meshkov, Dmitry and Novakovic, Tanja and Fürst, Jurij and Zara, Corinne and Marković-Peković, Vanda and Grubiša, Nataša and Befrits, Gustaf and Puckett, Robert and Vulto, Arnold G. G. (2021) The expiry of Humira® market exclusivity and the entry of adalimumab biosimilars in Europe : an overview of pricing and national policy measures. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. 591134. ISSN 1663-9812 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.591134)

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Abstract

Background: From October 2018, adalimumab biosimilars could enter the European market. However, in some countries, such as Netherlands, high discounts reported for the originator product may have influenced biosimilar entry. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to provide a European overview of (list) prices of originator adalimumab, before and after loss of exclusivity; to report changes in the reimbursement status of adalimumab products; and discuss relevant policy measures. Methods: Experts in European countries received a survey consisting of three parts: 1) general financing/co-payment of medicines, 2) reimbursement status and prices of originator adalimumab, and availability of biosimilars, and 3) policy measures related to the use of adalimumab. Results: In May 2019, adalimumab biosimilars were available in 24 of the 30 countries surveyed. Following introduction of adalimumab biosimilars, a number of countries have made changes in relation to the reimbursement status of adalimumab products. Originator adalimumab list prices varied between countries by a factor of 2.8 before and 4.1 after loss of exclusivity. Overall, list prices of originator adalimumab decreased after loss of exclusivity, although for 13 countries list prices were unchanged. When reported, discounts/rebates on originator adalimumab after loss of exclusivity ranged from 0% to approximately 26% (Romania), 60% (Poland), 80% (Denmark, Italy, Norway), and 80–90% (Netherlands), leading to actual prices per pen or syringe between €412 (Finland) and €50 – €99 (Netherlands). To leverage competition following entry of biosimilar adalimumab, only a few countries adopted measures specifically for adalimumab in addition to general policies regarding biosimilars. In some countries, a strategy was implemented even before loss of exclusivity (Denmark, Scotland), while others did not report specific measures. Conclusion: Even though originator adalimumab is the highest selling product in the world, few countries have implemented specific policies and practices for (biosimilar) adalimumab. Countries with biosimilars on the market seem to have competition lowering list or actual prices. Reported discounts varied widely between countries.

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