Institute Report
Unlocking Biosimilar Potential
Learnings from an Osteoporosis Case Study of Complex Patient Pathways
May 29, 2025

Report Summary

Biosimilar use is growing globally with more physicians becoming experienced and comfortable with their use. These biosimilars have also provided substantial savings for the overall healthcare system.

In 2023, IQVIA Institute published a report highlighting the importance of physician perspectives on biosimilars for their optimal utilization. This viewpoint continues to remain important and relevant, particularly as biosimilars enter new disease areas, including ones which involve complex interactions with a broad set of healthcare professionals. In such cases, different physician groups within a disease area may have varied experience with biosimilars. Ensuring that all groups are comfortable with and have knowledge about biosimilars is crucial to continue to gain the benefits from these biosimilars.

This report presents a case study of Osteoporosis which expects to see the entry of biosimilars in 2025. Osteoporosis has a complex patient pathway which involves several healthcare professionals and different stages. Additionally, the patient pathway and the specialists involved can vary substantially across countries and disease stages in Europe. The degree of familiarity and prior experience with biosimilars is likely to be highly variable across physician groups with some groups having never prescribed biosimilars.

This report provides the results of a survey of several physicians that are involved in the treatment and management of osteoporosis. The survey aims to understand the current state of knowledge about biosimilars across physician groups and potential barriers to optimal biosimilar use from a physician perspective.

The report utilizes the survey findings to highlight some possible solutions to overcome challenges regarding the variable level of knowledge and experience with biosimilars.

Key Findings

Biosimilars generate savings for the healthcare system and can expand access to biologics. As of July 2024, the cumulative savings at list prices from the impact of biosimilar competition in Europe reached €56 Bn. Ensuring a healthy level of competition and overall sustainability in the biologics market is important for achieving these benefits.

  • The patient journey in osteoporosis care can be complex and is marked by a series of interactions with various healthcare providers. A large majority (73%) of healthcare providers (HCPs) for osteoporosis treatment have a positive or very positive opinion of biosimilars with very few HCPs expressing a negative perspective (<2%). Comparable efficacy and safety, and cost savings for the healthcare system were noted as the most positive traits.
  • Only 30% or fewer of general practitioners/primary care physicians (GPs/PCPs) and traumatologists report being involved in decision-making processes regarding biosimilars.
  • The level of awareness and confidence regarding current and future biosimilars varies significantly across different specialties and physician groups. Only 5% of GPs/PCPs report being highly aware of the biosimilars currently available, and even fewer (3%) are highly aware of biosimilars in development.
  • A significant challenge noted by 33% of all surveyed physicians, particularly traumatologists and OB/GYNs, is their lack of experience with biosimilars, which hinders their willingness to use these treatments.

Related solutions

Contact Us