Comparative effectiveness and safety of biosimilars versus reference biologics in rheumatoid arthritis during treatment initiation: a systematic review of real-world evidence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Effective management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often requires the use of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). Biosimilar drugs (biosimilars), licensed pharmaceutical products that exhibit high similarity to their reference biological products (originators), have emerged as more affordable alternatives.

Aim

To compare the real-world effectiveness and safety of biosimilars and originators of bDMARDs in the management of RA at treatment initiation.

Method

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, International Pharmaceutical Abstract and CINAHL from database inception to 18th April 2025. Observational studies utilising real-world data (e.g., electronic health records, biologics registries) tha

SUBMITTER: Yiu CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12630288 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature