Background and Importance The ongoing rise in healthcare costs makes it necessary to establish containment strategies, in parallel with the commitment to improve access to the most effective and safest treatments. The introduction of biosimilar medicines is an opportunity for health systems (HS) and patients.

Aim and Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the use and cost evolution and adalimumab in a local hospital over the last 8 years. Biosimilar adalimumab was incorporated in 2019.

Material and Methods Data were collected based on consumed units of adalimumab between January 2016 and July 2023. We have multiplied the number of 80 mg adalimumab syringes by two to be able to add them to the 40 mg presentation. Consumption until June 2023 was extrapolated until December 2023 to be able to compare the values with complete years. Also, we grouped the different presentations of original brand and biosimilar molecules available, and the cost associated at the time it was consumed.

Results Adalimumab consumption (brand name and biosimilar adalimumab) has gradually increased over the past 8 years, from 2,424 in 2016 to 4,254 units in 2023 (+75.5%). Consumption, between 2016 and 2018, rose from 2,424 to 2,558 units (+5,5%), and their cost dropped slightly at the same period, from 1,070,460 to 1,053,300 euros (-1.66%). Adalimumab biosimilar was not introduced in the hospital until 2019 (penetration of biosimilars in 2019 was 17.9%, reaching 99.6% in 2023). Between 2019 and 2023, consumption increased from 3,317 to 4,254 units (+28.3%) with an absolute cost reduction of 752,553 euros (-78.3%). Overall, adalimumab spending has decreased by 81.6% over the 8 years despite the increase in consumption (75.5%).

Conclusion and Relevance Innovation in biological therapies, as well as the increase in candidates to receive them, has grown significantly. Involvement of different clinical services with the biosimilar molecules has led to significant savings (-81.6 %), despite the increase in consumption (75.5%). The commercialisation of biosimilar molecules, promotes the system’s sustainability, enables access to a greater number of patients, while allowing for the continued incorporation of innovative molecules.

Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest.