Biosimilar drugs breaking high-cost barrier to cancer immunotherapy
The availability of affordable biosimilar versions of the cancer drug nivolumab is significantly increasing patient access to immunotherapy in India. Doctors report that lower costs and research into optimized dosing are enabling more patients to receive life-saving treatments that were previously unaffordable.
Why it matters
This shift highlights how biosimilars can bridge the healthcare equity gap in developing nations by making advanced oncology treatments accessible to a broader population.
MUMBAI: A quiet shift is underway in cancer care in India. Over the past six months, more patients have been prescribed immunotherapy, one of the newer advances in cancer treatment that has remained beyond the reach of many because of its prohibitive cost.The change has been driven mainly by the availability of a cheaper version of nivolumab, a key immunotherapy drug that Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) doctors say is “effective in 25 tumours and has about 100 indications”. Another factor is Indian research, including studies by TMC, suggesting that lower doses may work well in Indian patients in certain settings, potentially reducing treatment costs.Dr Imran Shaikh of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri says his prescriptions for nivolumab have risen by more than 50% in the past six months following the arrival of a cheaper biosimilar.“My patients are responding well to the drug.
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