Authors

Dorela Hasankolli¹, Mirela Miraci¹, Teuta Backa², and Entela Haloçi¹, ¹University of Medicine, Albania, ²"Mother Teresa" University Medical Center, Albania

Abstract

Adalimumab is used to treat various autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Adalimumab is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Adalimumab biosimilars have the potential to reduce costs for the healthcare system. The aim of the study is to develop a drug budget impact analysis to assess the potential financial impact of the availability of the biosimilar adalimumab-aacf in terms of cost savings due to its lower price compared to adalimumab-adaz. Methods: This is a budget impact analysis and cost calculator model in Microsoft Excel based on FDSKSH’s data for 2023. Results: Adalimumab biosimilars accounted for approximately 25% of biologic drug prescriptions in 2023. The reimbursement cost of biologic drugs for autoimmune diseases was ALL 186,523,409 in 2023 (1 ALL = 0.01 USD). Of that cost, 15.21% accounted for treatment with adalimumab biosimilars. Adalimumab-aacf was available at a 15.82% lower price than adalimumab–adaz. The analysis indicated that the replacement of the biosimilar adalimumab-adaz with the biosimilar adalimumab-aacf could have resulted in cost savings of ALL 968,138, and the reimbursement cost of biologic drugs for autoimmune diseases could have been 3% lower. With the potential cost savings, two more patients could have had access to biologic drugs in 2023. Conclusions: The Drug Budget Impact Analysis estimated that the availability of adalimumab-aacf would be more profitable in terms of cost savings compared to adalimumab-adaz. The scenario could result in increased treatment access for patients.

Keywords

Adalimumab, autoimmune conditions, biosimilars, budget impact analysis, cost savings