Cardinal Health Predicts Biosimilar Boom in New Report

Pharmaceutical distribution and wholesaling giant Cardinal Health Inc. is optimistic that biosimilars will be broadly adopted and deliver big cost savings to the U.S. health care system in the next several years. The findings of a new white paper from the company run counter to more pessimistic predictions by other industry insiders, but Cardinal executives tell AIS Health, a division of MMIT, that even though some barriers to biosimilars remain, new approvals and regulatory changes have already accelerated adoption.

“I am deeply encouraged by the progress made in the U.S., especially this past year,” Sonia Oskouei, Cardinal Health’s vice president for biosimilars, wrote in the report. “Following the launch of the first biosimilar in 2015, we now have 33 FDA approved biosimilars with 21 available on the market as of January 2022. The U.S. biosimilars story that was initially described as sluggish and delayed has now transformed to one of progress and momentum. This past year, the promise of biosimilars has started to become a reality, as greater competition for some of the costliest biologic treatments on the market is beginning to drive meaningful cost savings.”