Uptake of the Biologic Filgrastim and Its Biosimilar Product Among the Medicare Population

Among the Medicare PopulationBiologic pharmaceuticals are complex, high-cost therapeutics used to treat severe and chronic conditions. 1 Biosimilar biological products can increase access to therapy and lower health care costs.The development and approval of biosimilar biologics in the United States was made possible by the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act passed in 2010.As of June 1, 2018, 10 biosimilars had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2 This study evaluated uptake of the first approved biosimilar biologic, filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), relative to its originator filgrastim product (Neupogen).These products share multiple indications for neutropenia and malignancy.Tbo-filgrastim (Granix), a stand-alone alternative biologic with a single indication, was also evaluated.January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, in Medicare Part B claims were identified using Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System billing codes.Beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare fee for service from at least 6 months Figure.Trends in All Filgrastim Administrations Methods | All filgrastim administrations of any dose between