Price competition and reimbursement of biosimilar granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in Hungary

ABSTRACT

Objectives: We analyzed the bid approach of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA) based on the results of two consecutive bids on colony stimulating factor (CSF).

Methods: The Hungarian NHIFA database was used to analyze the changes in the number of patients treated with CSF and reimbursement paid by NHIFA, 12 months preceding and following the bids.

Results: 13,974 patients received granulocyte-CSF treatment during 12 months prior to bidding. A 4.5% decrease (13,352) and further 1.3% decrease (13,185) in the total number of patients were observed during the first and second years, respectively. The annual health insurance subsidy paid during 12 months prior to the bids was. 7.49 billion Hungarian Forint (HUF) or 26.8 million Euro (EUR). In the first year following the bid, we found a 3.3 billion HUF (12.4 million EUR) decrease in health insurance subsidy (44% reduction). A further 7.9% reduction was observed during the second year, resulting in an annual health insurance subsidy of 3.59 billion HUF (12.1 million EUR).

Conclusion: During the 2 years bid (public procurement procedure), the National Health Insurance Fund Administration managed to reduce the health insurance subsidy paid for the reimbursement of both original and biosimilar G-CSF products.

KEYWORDS:

• Biosimilars
• colony stimulating factor
• competition in price
• drug market

Author contributions

Preparation of hypothesis: Hornyák L, Nagy Zs, Ilku L, Boncz I. Literature review: Hornyák L, Tálos Zs, Endrei D, Ágoston I, Boncz I. Data analyzes: Hornyák L, Csákvári T, Danku N, Répásy B, Boncz I. Writing of manuscript: Hornyák L, Nagy Zs, Ilku L, Tálos Zs, Endrei D, Ágoston I, Csákvári T, Danku N, Répásy B, Boncz I. The final version of the manuscript was approved by all authors. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

A reviewer on this manuscript has disclosed that they are employed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor biosimilar (discussed in the manuscript). Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Hungarian Government and the European Union. Grant number: EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017-00009 (Development and internationalization of thematic network for clinical research/Klinikai Kutatások Tematikus Hálózatának Kialakítása és Nemzetköziesítése).