Humira (adalimumab), a biologic drug marketed for a long list of auto-immune indications like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, became the world’s best selling drug following Lipitor, and racked up more than $200 billion in revenue for Abbvie since its first approval in 2002. When Humira was approved, there was no path to genericization for biologics. As noted earlier, the Affordable Care Act introduced the concept of biosimilars in 2010.
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Its approval in multiple uses and Abbvie’s controversial patenting strategy (sometimes termed a “thicket” by critics) meant that biosimilars for Humira did not enter the market until 2023. Making matters worse for any patient stuck paying a co-pay based on the drug’s list price, adalimumab biosimilar adoption has gotten off to a very slow start and (as in the case of Gleevec generics) biosimilar manufacturers are incentivized by PBMs to keep prices relatively high. Adam Fein, an expert on the drug supply chain, explains here. Interestingly, as of April 2024, insurer-PBM-pharmacy conglomerates like CVS have begun introducing “store brand](https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/cvs-biosimilar-drugs-production-08227182)” adalimumab biosimilars, which may finally mean the beginning of savings for patients.