Physician-Level Cost Control Measures and Regional Variation of Biosimilar Utilization in Germany.

ABSTRACT: Biologic drugs represent a large and growing portion of health expenditures. Increasing the use of biosimilars is a promising option for controlling spending growth in pharmaceutical care. Amid the considerable uncertainty concerning physicians' decision to prescribe biosimilars, explicit cost control measures may help increase biosimilar use. We analyze the role of regional cost control measures for biosimilars and their association with physician prescriptions in ambulatory care in Germany. We collect data on cost control measures implemented by German physician associations and national claims data on statutory health insurance covering 2009 to 2015. We perform panel regressions that include time and physician fixed effects to identify the average associations between cost control measu

SUBMITTER: Blankart KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7313006 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature