Dr Steven Yates Discusses the Need for Biosimilar Incentives in Community Oncology

The Center for Biosimilars® interviewed Steven Yates, MD, a medical oncologist and medical director at Intermountain Healthcare in Las Vegas, Nevada. Three years ago, Intermountain hired him to lead its biosimilar adoption effort.

Yates says incentivizing providers to prescribe biosimilars is good for community oncology. He explains how much more receptive oncologists have been to biosimilars compared with other providers, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50% of biosimilar adoption has occurred in community oncology and Yates believes this will only increase. Yates also compares the European Union experience with biosimilars with that in the United States. Overall, biosimilars are contributing to savings and as a result, many oncologists have been willing to utilize them.