Sandoz Biosimilar Zarxio (Filgrastim-Sndz) Reduced Out-Of-Pocket Costs For Medicare Patients With Breast Cancer Versus The Reference Medicine

• First real-world analysis demonstrating US Medicare breast cancer patients incurred less out-of-pocket (OOP) costs when prescribed Zarxio
• When simulated to one million insurance claims – totalling 100,000 Medicare patients – Zarxio cost savings were projected to be nearly $9.6M¹

Sandoz, a Novartis division and the pioneer and global leader in biosimilars, presented findings from a real-world simulation model showing US Medicare cancer patients treated with biosimilar Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) incurred less out-of-pocket (OOP) costs compared to those on reference filgrastim†. When researchers extrapolated the data to simulate one million claims (100,000 Medicare patients), Zarxio-related cost savings were projected to be approximately $9.6M. The research was presented during a poster session today at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).¹

“The value of cancer care can be enhanced when healthcare systems can reap the benefits of both cost savings and improved access to biosimilars,” said Sheila Frame, Vice President and head of Biopharmaceuticals, North America, Sandoz. “This analysis offers further insight into the potential of Zarxio in possiblyreducing the serious risks associated with neutropenia – including hospitalization, interruption of or even discontinuation of a patient’s chemotherapy regimenwith savings to the patient. We look forward to unveiling further real-world analyses for patients that may benefit from Zarxio.”

Neutropenia occurs in about half of people with cancer treated with chemotherapy.² Neutropenia may not always cause symptoms, but those with neutropenia have a higher risk of developing serious infections. This is because they do not have enough neutrophils to kill organisms that cause infection.³ Fever during neutropenia (febrile neutropenia) can be a very serious and life-threatening issue. Patients with febrile neutropenia are at a higher risk of mortality, and is considered an oncologic emergency.^4,5

In 2015, Zarxio was the first biosimilar to be approved and launched in the US. Sandoz has been producing high-quality biologic medicines for more than 30 years, with nearly two decades of developing biosimilars.

For more information on Zarxio including the Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information, visit www.zarxio.com.

References:

1. Puckrein, G. Sandoz biosimilar Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) reduced out-of-pocket costs for Medicare patients with breast cancer versus the reference medicine. Presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
2. Lyman, G. How We Treat Febrile Neutropenia in Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy. J Oncol Pract. 2010 May; 6(3): 149–152.
3. ASCO: Cancer.Net Editorial Board. Neutropenia. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/side-effects/neutropenia. Accessed November 8, 2018.
4. Thursky, KA. Can mortality of cancer patients with fever and neutropenia be improved? Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2015 Dec;28(6):505-13. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26374951. Accessed November 27, 2018.
5. Courtney, DM. Cancer-associated neutropenic fever: clinical outcome and economic costs of emergency department care. Oncologist. 2007 Aug;12(8):1019-26. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17766662. Accessed November 27, 2018.