The introduction of biosimilars in the US has been hampered by unrealized cost savings, myths and misinformation, and patient hesitancy. Still, many medical professionals see much to be optimistic about in the next few years. New biosimilars will soon be approved for the US market, and expectations are that costs will begin to come down as a result. In this episode, Zoe and Conner discuss some of the good news about biosimilars.

“I think what we’re seeing now is a critical mass. And I think that in the next 3 to 5 years, we’re going to see a deluge, because all of the self-injectable drugs that are waiting to come on the market will be finally be able to do that,” says Dr. Simon Helfgott, a rheumatologist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Among the highlights in this episode:

2:23 – New biosimilars will hit the US market in 2023

3:30 – Self-injectable biosimilars should also be available in a 3 to 5 years

4:00 – How pricing issues can be addressed

4:31 – Will insurance companies become more flexible about covering biosimilars?

5:05 – Greater access to biosimilars will improve the outlook

6:00 – Some patients are already seeing the benefits

Contact Our Hosts:

Zoe Rothblatt, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. zrothblatt@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. cmertens@ghlf.org

We’d love to hear what you think. Send your comments to BreakingDownBiosimilars@GHLF.org