Oncology

Study Examines Uptake, Costs in Filgrastims After Biosimilar Introduction

November 5th 2019

By Allison Inserro

The biggest cost difference in filgrastim administrations was seen in the commercially insured population after the launch of a biosimilar, according to a study published Monday in Health Affairs.

In ASCO Survey, a Majority of US Patients With Cancer Report Anxiety Related to Cost

October 30th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today released its third annual National Cancer Opinion Survey, results of which highlight the added stress that the financial burden of treatment places on patients with cancer.

Biosimilars in the United States: Where We've Been and Where We're Headed

October 25th 2019

Earlier this year, The Center for Biosimilars® staff sat down with our editorial advisory board member, Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, director of the Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. In the interview, Abraham discussed how biosimilars have progressed in the United States over the past year, whether biosimilars are indeed delivering on their promised cost savings, and challenges that still lie ahead in the cancer space.

Cost May Drive Medicare Patients to Delay or Forego Treatment for Blood Cancer, Report Suggests

October 24th 2019

By Kelly Davio

A new research report from Milliman, commissioned by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), found that fewer than half of patients with blood cancer received treatment within 3 months of diagnosis, and LLS says that costs may be keeping patients from getting care.

As Biosimilars Emerge in Oncology and Rare Disease, Innovator Companies Look to New Drugs to Maintain Sales

October 17th 2019

By Kelly Davio

As innovator biologics that have achieved blockbuster sales status reach or near the end of their exclusivities, biosimilar competition is close behind. This week, stakeholders got a closer look at how innovator drug companies are positioning themselves to maintain their sales in the face of such competition.

Oncologist Experience With Rituximab Factors Into Early Discontinuation Rate

October 15th 2019

By Allison Inserro

The less experience an oncologist has with administering rituximab, the more likely a Medicare beneficiary with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is to discontinue treatment, according to a new study. In addition, early rituximab discontinuation was associated with inferior lymphoma-specific and overall survival.

"Not So Different": What Have We Learned So Far About US Oncology Biosimilars?

October 13th 2019

Among the biggest biosimilars news of this year was the launch of the first 2 anticancer biosimilars. This week on the podcast, we're speaking with an expert who's sharing her insight into these developments in the oncology space. Christina Corridon, MPH, MBA, is a principal at the professional services firm ZS Associates, where she is a leader in ZS' oncology practice and leads their biosimilars vertical. She joined us to talk about the state of play in the US biosimilars market, what we can learn from ongoing experience, and how sustainable the US market for biosimilars may be today.

ISOPP Releases Position on Biosimilars, Voices Opposition to Treating Biosimilars as Interchangeable

October 11th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP), which convened in London, United Kingdom, this week for its 18th international symposium on oncology pharmacy practice, has issued a new global position statement on biosimilars in therapeutic and supportive oncology.

FDA Rejects Tanvex's Proposed Filgrastim Biosimilar, TX01

October 8th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The FDA has issued a complete response letter for Tanvex BioPharma’s TX01, a proposed biosimilar filgrastim referencing Neupogen.

COA Issues Policy Statement on Step Therapy in Cancer Care

October 1st 2019

By Allison Inserro

Step therapy, which requires that patients try the payer’s preferred treatment before the one a physician recommends, jeopardizes the health of patients with cancer by delaying treatment and creating unnecessary barriers, according to a recent position statement from the Community Oncology Alliance (COA).