Humira Biosimilars Not Gaining Traction Epitomizes Dysfunctional U.S. System

The blockbuster drug Humira was first approved more than two decades ago. Since then it has amassed more than $200 billion in global sales. Almost immediately following Humira (adalimumab) going off patent in 2016, the Food and Drug Administration began approving Humira-referenced biosimilars. But none of the biosimilars could launch in the U.S. until this year due to patent litigation. Moreover, once launched, biosimilars have failed to gain much traction owing to a Byzantine system of pricing and reimbursement. The situation facing biosimilars in the U.S. epitomizes what’s wrong with the prescription drug supply chain in America.