PBMs Keep New Biosimilars on Equal Footing With Best-Selling Humira
Since the first biosimilar for Humira launched in the U.S. this January, it’s been joined by several other biosimilars referencing AbbVie Inc.’s blockbuster immunosuppressive drug — with each manufacturer trying to differentiate their offerings in a suddenly crowded market. Major PBMs Optum Rx and Express Scripts have both responded by adding some of the newly launched biosimilars to their standard commercial formularies, while CVS Caremark appears to be still considering its options.
Experts who spoke with AIS Health, a division of MMIT, shared a variety of viewpoints about how coverage of the newly launched biosimilars is shaping up. But all are closely watching how PBMs, physicians and patients respond to the influx of competition for AbbVie’s cash cow, which has earned the drugmaker $208 billion globally since it was first approved by the FDA in 2002.