The study, published May 19 in JAMA, found that the country’s largest commercial health plans rarely offer preferred coverage to biosimilars, which are drugs that are nearly identical versions of biologic drugs but are less expensive.
The 17 plans cited in the study represent 60 percent of Americans with commercial health plans, STAT reported.
Health plans required patients to try the less-expensive versions of drugs before getting access to biologic drugs just 14 percent of the time, according to STAT.
Only two of the largest plans made biosimilars a preferred choice half the time or more.
The study highlights the struggle biosimilar drugmakers have faced when trying to gain access to insurance coverage, according to STAT.
Read the full article here.
More articles on pharmacy:
Trump inks deal to create the nation’s first strategic stockpile of COVID-19 drugs
Gilead to donate 300,000 more remdesivir doses to US hospitals
Moncef Slaoui resigns from Moderna board, divests $10M in stock
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.