Abstract
Introduction:
With a growing number of biosimilars in development and the launch of the first FDA-approved products in 2015, biosimilars are set to gain an increasing share of the biopharmaceutical market in the coming years, driven by their potential to lower healthcare costs. However, gaining physician confidence is critical to securing a meaningful position in developed markets; therefore, understanding physician concerns about biosimilar products should be an important factor to consider for biosimilar development and marketing strategies. We conducted primary market research with six physician specialty types across the United States and Europe to understand their experiences, perceptions, and future outlook on biosimilars. We explored how these attitudes differ across the therapeutic areas surveyed to understand the key topics that are likely to have the greatest impact on biosimilar uptake. Questions have been posed to reveal insights on physician perceptions of biosimilars over time and how they vary across geographies and specialties as well as understanding physician opinions on automatic substitution, indication extrapolation, drivers of and barriers to uptake, clinical concerns and requirements, and competition from new, innovative biologics. This report has been produced by DRG’s Biosimilars Research Team, which provides in-depth market analysis supported by our primary market research with physicians and payers and delivered through regular webinars that put major events into context. Interactive forecasts allow assessment of market opportunities, and strategically focused reports help shape biosimilars development and defense strategies.
Questions Answered in This Report:
· Understand surveyed physicians’ current level of experience and familiarity with issues associated with biosimilars. How has familiarity with biosimilars evolved over time in Europe and the United States? What are physicians’ opinions on indication extrapolation, and how do these attitudes vary by specialty and region? 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 physicians’ attitudes translate to expected use of biosimilars. How will physicians adopt biosimilars initially, and does it vary by specialty? How will physicians choose between 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 550 physicians across six specialties, namely endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists, hematology-oncologists, and medical-oncologists.