OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to analyse the biosimilar bids of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration in case of colony-stimulating factor (CSF).

METHODS: The data used in this analysis was derived from the financing database of Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration, and they covered the interval between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2014.

RESULTS: Owing to the first price bidding, two biosimilars were awarded the status of preferred drugs. One biosimilar drug still obtained reimbursement, and it was available to the patients for a refund of 1500 HUF. Another biosimilar and an original drug lost their reimbursement. Owing to second price bidding, three biosimilar drugs became available for the patients, but it was for a unified refund of 300 HUF/box. During the 12 months prior to the bid process, 13974 patients received G-CFS treatment and 13352 and 13185 patients received it during the first and second year after the bid process, respectively. This shows a decrease of 4.5% in the number of patients during the first year after the bid process, followed by a further decrease of 1.3% during the second year relative to that before the bid process. The total amount of money spent on the reimbursement of G-CSF drugs during the year before bid process amounted to 7.49 billion HUF. This amount was reduced by 44% to 4.49 billion HUF in the first year following the bid process. In the second year, the amount of subsidization amounted to 3.6 billion HUF, indicating a 51.9% decrease relative to that before the bid process.

CONCLUSIONS: The analyses of the Hungarian price competition bid of biosimilar products showed a minimal decline in the number of patients under treatment by colony-stimulating factor while the health insurance reimbursement of these drugs significantly decreased.