Biologics such as rituximab are an important component of oncology treatment\nstrategies, although access to such therapies is challenging in countries with limited\nresources. This study examined access to rituximab and identified potential barriers to its\nuse in the United States, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, and Brazil. The study also examined\nwhether availability of a biosimilar to rituximab would improve access to, and use of,\nrituximab. Overall, 450 hematologists and oncologists completed a survey examining their\nuse of rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin�s lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic\nleukemia (CLL). Less than 40% of physicians considered rituximab as easy to access from\na cost perspective. Furthermore, many physicians chose not to treat, were unable to treat, or\nhad to modify treatment with rituximab despite guidelines recommending its use in NHL\nand CLL patients. Insurance coverage, reimbursement, and cost to patient were commonly\nreported as barriers to the use of rituximab. Across all markets, over half of physicians\nreported that they would increase use of rituximab if a biosimilar was available.\nWe conclude that rituximab use would increase across all therapy types and markets if a\nbiosimilar was available, although a biosimilar would have the greatest impact in Brazil,\nMexico, and Russia.
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