Celltrion Healthcare advocates early introduction of biologics for patients to improve clinical outcomes

Payers, physicians and health economists highlighted the importance of biosimilars in improving early access for patients to biological treatment

At the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 23rd Annual International Meeting in Baltimore, Celltrion Healthcare today advocated for healthcare systems to introduce biologics earlier in a patient’s treatment regimen in order to improve clinical outcomes.

Several studies show that the early introduction of biologics can bring greater clinical benefit to patients.  However, only a limited number of patients have access to biological treatment due to the high-cost of biologics and current reimbursement policies determined by pharmacoeconomic evaluations. Since the introduction of biosimilars, the overall cost of biological treatments has reduced in Europe, allowing an increased number of patients to access this important treatment option earlier in their course of treatment.

Professor Jørgen Jahnsen said:

For the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, biological treatments are proven to be the most efficacious medical therapy and their early introduction can provide better outcomes. To offer those living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis the best treatment, we must increase patient access to biological treatments at the most optimal time. The introduction of biosimilars can facilitate this.

Speaking at ISPOR, Professor Gulácsi, Head of Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest HTA Consulting, Hungary, concluded that:

According to the budget impact study of CT-P13, if budget savings were spent on reimbursement of additional biosimilar infliximab treatment, approximately 10-15% more patients could be treated in high and middle-income countries.

Mr HoUng Kim, Head of Strategy and Operations at Celltrion Healthcare, addressed the issue of limited early access to biological treatment at the congress in a statement:

Patients should have the option of receiving the best possible treatment as early as possible. As a company we are strongly committed to delivering innovative and affordable treatments for people living with chronic conditions across the world by providing high quality, cost effective biosimilars. Now is the time for payers, physicians and health economists to re-evaluate the cost effectiveness of biological treatment in light of the introduction of biosimilars and to address inconsistencies in patient access.

Mr HoUng Kim went on to explain that a lack of understanding of biosimilars in some healthcare systems, doctors’ conservative prescribing behaviours and the high development and manufacturing  costs associated with biologics as current obstacles when seeking to treat patients early with biological therapies.

The Celltrion Healthcare presentation as ISPOR also included perspectives from leading physicians:

• Professor Jørgen Jahnsen, Akershus University Hospital, Norway shared his perspective on the early introduction of biologics in inflammatory bowel disease, showing that the early introduction of anti-TNF alpha agents brought the most clinical benefit to patients
• Professor László Gulácsi, Corvinus University, Hungary provided an overview on how reducing healthcare costs can result in improved access to treatments
• Dr Edmund Pezalla, Former Vice President, Aetna, U.S. provided an analysis of the uptake of biosimilars in United States healthcare environment.