Biologic drugs have revolutionized treatment of patients over the past two decades. Biologics are products derived from living organisms or their components and can treat several conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and immune disorders. Biologics also constitute some of the most expensive drugs on the market and are a growing share of the overall drug expenditure. Biosimilars — which are biological medicines highly similar to another already approved biological medicine (the ‘reference medicine’) after its exclusivity has expired — can provide access to biologic treatments in a cost-efficient manner and create competitive pressure on reference biologic medicines. This can help generate savings for the health system and broaden access to biologics. Biosimilars also offer a new business model for manufacturers and contribute to sustainable biologics innovation and competition. Ensuring a healthy level of competition in the biologics market is important for achieving the benefits associated with biosimilars.

The entry of biosimilars has already had a large impact on EU healthcare systems in terms of savings generation and broader access to biologics; however, biosimilar use and rate of uptake has varied by country and molecule, even within Europe. Past research has identified several factors for variable uptake of biosimilars, ranging from country level policies to key stakeholder perceptions. Meta studies of physicians’ awareness, perception, and preference for biosimilars from 2014 to 2018 have highlighted a high degree of variability on these dimensions, which can impact the optimal use of biosimilars.

Understanding physician perspectives on biosimilars is an important part of developing a sustainable competitive market, as these perspectives drive overall use. In next five years, at least 30 more biologics will lose protection than in the past five years. Physicians representing different specialties will have a biosimilar option for the first time; for example, neurologists are expected to have a biosimilar of natalizumab to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) available for the first time in 2023. These physicians can benefit from the experiences of oncologists and immunologists that have used biosimilars for multiple years. Assessing what drove physicians to adopt biosimilars, sharing best practices around use in different situations, and identifying the most appropriate approaches to sharing information will be helpful in optimizing biosimilar use. The experiences of physicians that have utilized biosimilars will also allow health systems to anticipate issues that may arise in relation to new biosimilars and ensure the development of a sustainable competitive market.