Which current biologic drugs are most likely to be impacted by competition from biogenerics?
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) account for the highest percentage of Medicare Part B drug spending, and could be a starting point for U.S. biogenerics to enter the market once the innovator patents expire. There are only two ESAs in the U.S that are prescribed to patients on dialysis – Epogen® (epoetin alfa) and Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa). Medicare spent $2.1 billion on these drugs in 2006, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Epogen and Aranesp are registered trademarks of Amgen, Inc.
