Biosimilars play an important role in improving affordability for patients and health plans. In 2024 alone, these lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternatives to brand-name medications delivered more than $20 billion in savings.
With more than a decade of evidence supporting their clinical and cost benefits, biosimilars have become an increasingly cost-effective option. Continued progress will depend on expanding education and awareness so providers and patients can make informed treatment decisions.
Evernorth continues to expand patient access to biosimilars by pairing affordability with personalized clinical and operational support. Evernorth led the way in driving savings for two of the most commonly prescribed inflammatory conditions medications – Humira and Stelara – by making them available for $0 to eligible patients of Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. Today, more and more patients are choosing to transition to biosimilars, and among eligible Accredo patients:
- More than 80% now use a Humira biosimilar.
- More than two-thirds have adopted a Stelara biosimilar.
“Biosimilars are one of the most effective ways to expand access and lower costs for patients and plan sponsors, and adoption continues to increase,” said Matt Perlberg, president of Evernorth Health Services’ Pharmacy and Care Delivery businesses. “As more biosimilars become available, our focus remains on affordability, access, and making sure patients are supported every step of the way. Through Accredo, we pair biosimilar availability with clinical guidance, education, and coordination so patients who choose to transition can do so confidently and without disrupting their care.”
New research underscores Accredo Specialty Pharmacy’s role in supporting patients who choose a biosimilar
A recent study of more than 10,000 individuals prescribed Humira in 2023 analyzed how Accredo’s specialized, high‑touch clinical model supports biosimilar adoption, adherence, and therapy stability. During a period when biosimilar utilization for Humira was still emerging – amid evolving payer alignment and still-developing patient and provider awareness – clear differences in Accredo patient experience and outcomes were already evident.
Accredo-supported patients demonstrated:
- Greater adoption: Even in the early stages of biosimilar uptake, nearly 8% of Accredo-supported patients prescribed Humira chose to transition to an FDA-approved interchangeable biosimilar within a year, compared with approximately 6% of individuals choosing to fill at all other channels.
- Stronger adherence: Patients who chose to transition to a biosimilar through Accredo achieved nearly 90% adherence over 12 months, four percentage points higher than those using other channels.
- More stable therapy: Accredo patients were 22% less likely to abandon the new therapy for a different branded biologic, helping maintain continuity of care and avoid unnecessary cost increases.
Similar to the early trajectory of generic medicines, biosimilar uptake has accelerated since the time of the study, driven by expanded coverage and growing familiarity and confidence among patients and providers.
“For patients, choosing to switch therapies can feel uncertain – even when the medicine itself is clinically proven,” said Yvonne Viteri, PharmD, BCACP, who led the research study at Accredo. “When patients do choose to move to a biosimilar, the support they receive matters. This research suggests that Accredo’s specialized clinical model, which includes education, coordination, and ongoing engagement, helped more patients adopt biosimilars, stay adherent, and remain stable on therapy. That kind of support is essential to making biosimilar adoption work in the real world, and will continue to play a critical role as biosimilar adoption increases.”
