Clinical Benefit, Price, and Uptake for Cancer Biosimilars vs Reference Drugs in China
Published on October 17, 2023
Question What are the clinical benefits, price, and uptake rates of approved cancer biosimilars compared with their reference drugs in China and other countries?
Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 randomized clinical trials and 10 cohort studies, clinical benefits of biosimilars of rituximab, bevacizumab, and trastuzumab were comparable to those of their reference drugs. In China in 2022, the biosimilar price was 69% to 90% of the reference drug cost, while uptake rates were 54% to 83%.
Meaning This study found equivalent clinical outcomes and lower prices of cancer biosimilars vs reference drugs, suggesting that initiatives to increase uptake of biosimilars in China could benefit more patients.