Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (Jan 2021)

Changing trends in the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) biosimilars: Insights from the Vitreoretinal Society of India Biosimilars of Anti-VEGF Survey

  • Jay U Sheth,
  • Michael W Stewart,
  • Manoj Khatri,
  • Shashank R Gupta,
  • Shobhit Chawla,
  • Anand Rajendran,
  • Raja Narayanan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_2703_20
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69, no. 2
pp. 352 – 356

Abstract

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to present the outcomes of the 2018 and 2020 Vitreo-retinal Society of India (VRSI) biosimilars of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (VIBE) surveys. Methods: An online survey of members of VRSI was conducted in July 2018 and January 2020 regarding their practice-patterns on anti-VEGF biosimilars pertaining to safety, efficacy, pricing, and need for enhanced clinical trials before regulatory approval. Results: In 2018, 112 VRSI members participated, whereas in 2020, 98 society members participated. In both surveys, majority of respondents were aware of biosimilars (96%, 2018 vs. 100%, 2020; P = 0.9) and felt that approval of biosimilar drugs should be made more stringent with larger clinical trials (89%, 2018 vs. 91%, 2020; P = 0.93). An increase in use of ranibizumab-biosimilar (41%, 2018 to 56%, 2020; P = 0.2) and a simultaneous significant decline in use of bevacizumab-biosimilar (9%, 2018 to 2%, 2020; P = 0.04) was noted from 2018 to 2020. From 2018 to 2020, the proportion of respondents satisfied with safety (61% to 68%; P = 0.59) and efficacy (65% to 81%; P = 0.32) of ranibizumab-biosimilar increased. However, during the same period, we noted in reduction in satisfaction levels with safety of bevacizumab-biosimilar (30% to 25%; P = 0.54), whereas satisfaction with its efficacy was stable (29% vs 30%; P = 0.99). A substantial proportion of retina specialists considered that current cost of ranibizumab-biosimilar ($130) was sufficiently low for it to be used as a substitute for Avastin (37%, 2018 and 40%, 2020; P = 0.82). Conclusion: The VRSI surveys reveal that Indian vitreoretinal specialists are familiar with anti-VEGF biosimilars. There was a progressive trend favoring ranibizumab-biosimilar over bevacizumab-biosimilar. One-third of the participants deem the current price of ranibizumab-biosimilar as appropriate to replace Avastin. Simultaneously, the need for enhanced pharmacovigilance and larger clinical trials are warranted for regulatory approval of these agents.

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