Dr. Savin on the Evolution of Biosimilars

Michael A. Savin, MD, assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, discusses the evolution of biosimilars.

The Europeans are ahead of the United States in terms of biosimilars, Savin explains. This may be because they are more cost driven than American counterparts, he adds.

The United States is being driven toward biosimilars as drug prices continue to increase. Twenty to 30 years ago, tamoxifen was a very expensive drug. Previously, an expensive drug was defined as $200 or $300 per month, he says. Now, physicians prescribe drugs that are much more. Biosimilars may be a means of reigning these costs in, he concludes.