Dr. Markman on the Concept of Biosimilars in Oncology

Maurie Markman, MD, president of Medicine and Science, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, editor-in-chief, OncologyLive, and 2018 Giant of Cancer Care^® for Gynecological Cancers, discusses the concept of biosimilars in oncology.

Biosimilars have the potential to reduce the cost of biologic drugs. However, based on existing data, there does not seem to be a dramatic impact on reducing the cost of cancer care, states Markman. There are many variables at play, so the reason that there has not been a cost reduction is not easily discerned, explains Markman.

Markman hopes that the healthcare industry embraces biosimilars once the patent of their biologic counterpart expires because of their potential to reduce cost. However, biosimilars are simply one component of the greater scheme of the cost of cancer care, notes Markman. Even though biologics have improved patient lifespans across tumor types, the cost of these therapies is no longer sustainable. While many people associate cost reduction with biosimilars, Markman emphasizes that cost reduction is a multifaceted equation that will rely on more than biosimilars alone.