Emerging Biosimilars | Immunology | Inflectra/Remsima Wave 1 | Germany | 2015

LaunchTrends®: Inflectra/Remsima (Wave 1) is the first in a series of syndicated reports designed to track physician perception and uptake of Hospira’s Inflectra and Mundipharma’s Remsima, two different brands of Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar CT-P13.

The study surveys rheumatologists and gastroenterologists in Germany, and in Wave 1, we include key insights from German payers/payer advisers. These reports evaluate physicians’ current awareness and perception of Inflectra/Remsima, their likely uptake over time, the biosimilars’ effect on other products in the same class, and promotional activity related to biosimilar and innovator infliximab.

Questions Answered:

• Inflectra and Remsima launched in Germany in February 2015. Are German rheumatologists and gastroenterologists aware of the biosimilars and of how they were tested during clinical development?
• Biosimilars are intended to share the clinical profile of the reference brand; therefore, a clinical benefit is not expected to be associated with their use. Why have physicians chosen to prescribe Inflectra/Remsima or an alternative biologic?
• Pharmacists in Germany are not permitted to substitute a prescribed biologic brand for a biosimilar; thus, physicians must directly prescribe Inflectra/Remsima in order for their patients to receive it. What promotional messages are sales representatives using for Inflectra, Remsima, and Remicade in order to encourage physician prescribing?
• Although physicians retain control over which biologic pharmacists will dispense to their patients, payers in Germany hold the power to influence physician prescribing behavior through prescribing targets and negotiation of rebate contracts. How have payers in Germany responded to the introduction of Inflectra/Remsima?

Scope:

Markets covered: Germany.

Primary research: Online survey of 31 gastroenterologists and 35 rheumatologists in Germany; telephone interviews with two German payers.