Biosimilars are finally gaining momentum in the U.S., especially for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. As of spring 2025, the FDA has approved 74 of them. And yet, despite the potential savings, biosimilars aren’t delivering the kind of impact they should be having.
If we want to make real progress on affordability in specialty drug spending, it’s time to take a fresh look at biosimilars and why they haven’t yet delivered their full promise.
First, a Quick Refresher
Biosimilars are highly similar to existing FDA-approved biologics, with no meaningful differences in safety, strength, or effectiveness. The FDA even allows some to be substituted without calling the prescriber, depending on state laws. They’re used to treat everything from autoimmune diseases to cancer and diabetes.
Most importantly, they’re cheaper. Typically, 15 to 50 percent less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. Further, as biosimilars gain ground, they tend to lower prices across entire drug classes. IQVIA projected they’ll save the U.S. healthcare an estimated $181 billion in savings from 2023 to 2027.
What’s the Opportunity for Plan Sponsors?
If all 74 FDA-approved biosimilars were actively added to plan formularies and switching from originator products was made easy, plan sponsors could see significant financial impact. Nationally, that translates to potential savings of $9 to $15 billion each year.
For large commercial or employer-sponsored plans, the share of that pie could reach hundreds of millions annually without sacrificing care quality. But those savings aren’t automatic. They depend on real-world adoption. And that’s where things start to break down.
Despite Savings Potential, Adoption Still Lags
Here’s the problem. Despite the clinical soundness and economic upside, biosimilars are still sitting on the sidelines in too many cases.
Prescribers want to help their patients save money, but the process of switching patients to a biosimilar is challenging. From prior authorizations, confusion around interchangeability, to hesitation about switching stable patients has created a perfect storm of operational drag.
And while these challenges are understandable, they’re also costly. Because every time we delay a biosimilar switch that makes sense, we leave savings on the table for members, for employers, for Medicaid, for everyone.
Easy Access Helps a Growing Health Issue
Autoimmune diseases are on the rise. One study found that over 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with at least one autoimmune disease, and more than a third of those patients are managing multiple conditions. The costs are enormous, both financially and in terms of health equity.
Biosimilars could change that. But only if they’re easy to access.
This Is Where RazorMetrics Comes In
At RazorMetrics, we help biosimilars move from promise to practice. Rather than introducing another tool or process for providers to learn, our platform works quietly in the background surfacing lower-cost, clinically appropriate alternatives and delivering them directly to physicians within their normal workflow.
Once the prescriber reviews and approves a biosimilar switch, RazorMetrics ensures the member is informed clearly and simply. If the physician doesn’t approve, the member is never contacted. That keeps trust intact and avoids unnecessary confusion. The process is streamlined, respectful of provider judgment, and effective in delivering results. Plan sponsors see measurable impact within weeks, not months.
Biosimilars offer a rare opportunity in healthcare: clinically sound care at a lower cost. But the gap between what’s possible and what’s happening is still too wide. Without solving the practical barriers to adoption, especially for prescribers, we risk leaving those savings on the table.
Contact RazorMetrics today. The Biosimilar promise is already here. Now it’s time to put them into practice.
