Dr. Puhalla on the Value of Biosimilars in Oncology

Shannon L. Puhalla, MD, assistant professor of medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, medical oncologist and hematologist, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the value of biosimilars in oncology.

Cost containment is something that has to be accounted for in medicine, explains Puhalla. Although Puhalla has not used a biosimilar in clinical practice, she believes that they offer a viable path toward reducing drug costs.

Drugs should be available worldwide, says Puhalla, and biosimilars may be able to increase access to countries beyond the United States and Europe. Currently, the only biosimilar that is currently being used in patients who are receiving cancer care is filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), but several others have been FDA-approved and are waiting for existing patents to expire. Moreover, the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee is reviewing a biologics license application for CT-P10, a potential rituximab (Rituxan) biosimilar.