Biosimilar Retacrit debuts in USA at a substantial discount

After a number of setbacks on the path to market, US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) has announced the introduction of Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) injection in the USA.

This is the first available biosimilar to Procrit (epoetin alfa) and Epogen (epoetin alfa) from Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ)in the USA, and is being made available at a substantial discount. Pfizer began shipment of Retacrit to wholesalers in the USA on November 12, 2018.

Retacrit will be introduced at a Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) of $11.03 per 1,000 units/mL, which is 57.1% below the WAC of Procrit (epoetin alfa) [$25.72 per 1,000 units/mL] and 33.5% below the WAC of Epogen (epoetin alfa) [$16.58 per 1,000 units/mL], its reference product. The WAC is not inclusive of discounts to payers, providers, distributors and other purchasing organizations.