# Fostering healthcare system sustainability through efficient practices: Can adopting biosimilars ease the financial burden of rheumatoid arthritis?

## TL;DR

Biosimilars, which are cheaper alternatives to expensive biologic drugs, can help reduce costs and improve access to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the potential of biosimilars to enhance healthcare sustainability by reducing RA treatment costs and improving patient access.

## Key findings

- Biosimilars are as effective and safe as their originator biologics but at a lower cost.
- Adopting biosimilars can increase access to biologic therapies for eligible RA patients.
- Integrating biosimilars into clinical practice supports more sustainable healthcare systems.

## Abstract

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been successfully treated using biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. These medications are not utilized as first-line treatment, in part because of their high cost, but they are frequently seen to be cost-effective for RA patient populations that do not respond adequately to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Moreover, not all RA patients who meet clinical eligibility criteria can access biologics, not even as second-line therapy. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in biosimilars that are highly comparable to their originator biologics in terms of efficacy and safety but generally come at a lower price. This review summarizes the potential role of biosimilars in reducing RA expenditure and increasing RA patient access to biologic therapies. As the global landscape for biosimilars continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the unique challenges and opportunities in different healthcare systems. By leveraging the potential of biosimilars, healthcare systems can improve RA management, ease its economic burden and ensure that patients have access to effective and affordable treatments. The future of RA treatment lies in the integration of biosimilars into clinical practice, offering hope for more sustainable and equitable healthcare systems.