Treatment Persistence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Before and After Etanercept Biosimilar Introduction: A Nationwide Australian Real-World Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Australia has one of the highest rates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) worldwide. Etanercept, a widely used biologic for severe RA, has had a publicly subsidised biosimilar available in Australia since 2017. However, real-world data on how biosimilar availability has affected treatment patterns remain limited.

Objective

This study aimed to assess treatment persistence-a surrogate measure of long-term treatment effectiveness-with etanercept before and after public subsidy of its biosimilar for RA, utilising a national sample.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analysed national healthcare claims data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) via the Australian Bureau of Statistics DataLab. Adults (age ≥ 18 years) initiating etanercept for severe RA wer

SUBMITTER: Yiu CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12443936 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature