Biosimilars in oncology: everybody agrees but nobody uses?

Reducing the cost of biologics is an important avenue for addressing financial toxicity in oncology, one of the biggest challenges for health systems. The use of biosimilars, the cheaper alternatives to biologics, is an important strategy to that end. But the enthusiasm of developing biosimilars is meaningless if they get to the market, but they’re not prescribed by the physicians, concerned by unexpected side effects or inferior efficacy. A recent study found no differences between biosimilars and erythropoietin stimulating agents originators in the composite outcome including all-cause mortality, blood transfusion and major cardiovascular events. Such studies are important to allay the concerns of physicians and patients regarding the use of biosimilars. Physician and patient education, backed by clinical guidelines and patient advocacy groups, are the keys to improving the uptake of biosimilars in clinical practice.