OBJECTIVES: Biologics, such as adalimumab, are efficacious in reducing disease activity in their authorised indications but are considered costly treatment options. The study’s objective was to assess the budget impact of introducing an adalimumab biosimilar within France for all licensed adult adalimumab indications.

METHODS: A budget-impact model (BIM) was used to estimate the cost saving potential over various timeframes through competitive biosimilar pricing from the payer’s perspective. The current adalimumab-treated population was estimated through GERS data and assumed to be volume stable over the measured period.

The BIM scenario was developed for an adalimumab biosimilar vs the reference biologic product price comparisons aiming for an ultimate total market share of 80% at the discounted prices. The adalimumab price adoption was modelled to be of a linear uptake comparing three separate periods (6,12 and 24 months) with a 20, 30 and 40% discount from published price sources as well as an immediate switch of 80% of the available market volume.

RESULTS: The immediate conversion of the market to these new discounted prices could bring potential savings of €35.5m, €53.3m and €71m over 24 months whilst linear conversion programmes could generate savings of €18.5m, €27.7m and €37m over the same period. Six- and twelve-month linear transitions against discounted pricing above, whilst limiting total market penetration to 43% at these points, could potentially release savings of €20.7m, €31m and €41.5m and €19.2m, €28.9m and €38.5m respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of adalimumab biosimilar price competition represents substantial cost-saving potential for healthcare systems within France. The proposed transition outlined would support France’s aim to reach 80% biosimilar penetration by 2022 through implementation of the Article 51 policy. Capacity of health systems may limit the larger cost savings potentials in the short term although linear uptake programmes limit the degree of savings over more aggressive conversion scenarios.