[slv77]

In the US anti-TNF biologics treatments can cost several thousand dollars per month. Even with patents expiring this year the industry isn't expecting dramatic price drops due to the different regulatory process for bio-similars versus a typical generic drug.

I'm sure there are many patients who would be happy for a more cost effective option.

[tosseraccount]

"several thousand" is "list price" for single shots and no or fake health insurance. In practice insurance companies negotiate the price down and average patient pays much less than that. Major drug makers are ready to go the second the patents expire. Prices should drop dramatically for something like Humira (adalimumab) and biosimilars.

[robbiep]

Major problem with generic biomimetics is that without the feedstock creating infliximab etc a generic's -mab is actually going to hit the receptor in a different way, and there is some evidence (sorry, on mobile and on holidays, don't have the resource available) that such 'generics' will actually function differently.

Interesting question is whether they then need to go through the process of FDA/similar approval. The cost savings aren't as simple as just creating the chemical structure... We are talking about immunoglobulins

[matheweis]

No idea why you're getting down votes, this is 100% accurate.