Maximizing the benefits of using biosimilars in Egypt

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Fasseeh A.N.; Elezbawy B.; El-Fass K.A.; GamaI M.; Seyam A.; Hayek N.; Abdel Rahman N.; Abdelhamid S.; Fasseeh N.; Saad A.S.; Elagamy A.; Mahmoud A.; Sedrak A.S.; Elshazly K.; Eldebeiky M.; Talaat M.; Mohamed N.M.; Abdelaziz R.A.; Refaat R.; Akeel S.; Abaza S.; Kaló Z.

Journal: Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice

Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd

Publication Date: 11 March 2024

Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 1

Article No.: 79

ISSN: 20523211

DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00581-w

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Fasseeh A.N., Syreon Middle East, Alexandria, Egypt, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Elezbawy B., Syreon Middle East, Alexandria, Egypt; El-Fass K.A., Syreon Middle East, Alexandria, Egypt; GamaI M., Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt; Seyam A., Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt; Hayek N., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Abdel Rahman N., Health Insurance Organization, Cairo, Egypt; Abdelhamid S., Egyptian Parliament Health Sector, Cairo, Egypt; Fasseeh N., Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Saad A.S., Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Elagamy A., Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt; Mahmoud A., Health Insurance Organization, Cairo, Egypt; Sedrak A.S., Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Elshazly K., Presidential Program for Women’s Health, Cairo, Egypt; Eldebeiky M., Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt; Talaat M., Egyptian Drug Authority, Cairo, Egypt; Mohamed N.M., Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt; Abdelaziz R.A., Universal Health Insurance Authority, Cairo, Egypt; Refaat R., Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt; Akeel S., Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management, Cairo, Egypt; Abaza S., Syreon Middle East, Alexandria, Egypt; Kaló Z., Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

Background: Biosimilars constitute a pathway for sustainable financing of healthcare systems in the era of expensive biologics. However, such a pathway is not free of challenges. Since the biosimilars market is expanding in Egypt, there is an urgent need for a policy framework to optimize their use and diffusion in the market. We aim to characterize a national framework based on the experiences of other countries and consultation with local experts. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to identify biosimilars’ policy elements worldwide. A workshop was organized with experts to discuss the narrative review findings and create consensus on recommendations. Results: The narrative literature review highlighted the need for biosimilar policy actions in four areas: market authorization, pricing, reimbursement, and uptake. Eighteen experts representing the Egyptian healthcare authorities attended the workshop. The most significant conclusions from the workshop included setting the price of the biosimilar at 30–40% less than its originator’s price and establishing financing protocols, in which the more expensive biologics with significant price premiums should be excluded from the formulary. Conclusions: A summarized national framework policy recommendation for biosimilars was created by local experts from the main public healthcare entities in Egypt. These recommendations coincide with the international policies adopted across different countries that aim to improve patient access while sustaining health expenditure. © 2023, The Author(s).

Keywords

Biosimilars; Health policy; Healthcare sustainability; Patient access; Reimbursement; biosimilar agent; Article; biomedical technology assessment; consensus; drug cost; drug regulation; drug utilization; Egypt; health care access; health care financing; human; immunogenicity; marketing authorization; patient attitude; pharmacovigilance; prescribing practice

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 4

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