Biosimilars | Current Treatment | US/EU | 2019

Since the approval of the first biosimilar in Europe more than a decade ago, the use of biosimilars has been increasing in that region. Likewise, the FDA approved the first biosimilar in 2015, and biosimilars have been gaining traction in the United States since then. Nevertheless, for biosimilars to achieve and maintain a strong position in the major pharmaceutical markets, particularly as the competition increases, it is imperative for them to earn the trust of physicians. By elucidating physicians’ decision-making process in the use of biosimilars versus biologics, clients can learn the most important attributes a biosimilar should have. Decision Resources Group conducted primary market research in the United States, France, and Germany with physicians from six specialties to obtain insight into their experiences with and perceptions of biosimilars. In this report, we examine how physicians’ experiences and attitudes compare across specialties and countries and how they have evolved over time.

Questions Answered in This Report:

• Understand surveyed physicians’ current level of experience and familiarity with biosimilars. How has familiarity with biosimilars progressed over time in France, Germany, and the United States? What are physicians’ opinions of indication extrapolation, and how do these attitudes vary by country and specialty? Are physicians familiar with the pharmacy-level substitution rules in their respective countries?
• Understand the drivers of and barriers to biosimilar use among physicians from different specialties. According to physicians, which factors will stimulate uptake of biosimilars, and how do these factors vary by country? What are physicians’ concerns about using biosimilars, and how do they vary by specialty? Which companies do physicians trust most as manufacturers of biosimilars?
• Understand how examining physicians’ attitudes can help decipher the likely use of biosimilars in the future. How will physicians adopt biosimilars initially, and how will uptake vary by specialty? How will physicians choose among multiple biosimilars of the same reference product? Do physicians expect to use new, higher-cost biologics once biosimilars are available?

Scope

Markets covered: United States, France, and Germany.

Primary research: Online quantitative survey of 547 physicians from six specialties—endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists, hematology-oncologists, and medical oncologists.