Biosimilar adoption in Spanish oncology reaches 90%

The adoption of biosimilar drugs in oncology within Spain’s National Health System has reached an average penetration rate of 90% for key molecules, according to an analysis by the Spanish Association of Biosimilar Medicines (BioSim) covering the period from 2017 to 2025.

In 2025, out of 560,000 total units consumed for the analyzed active ingredients—bevacizumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab—506,000 were biosimilars, while only 54,000 were the original reference molecules. Since 2017, the global volume of these three active ingredients has increased fivefold, rising from 115,000 units to 560,000.

Specific penetration rates vary by molecule. Bevacizumab has reached a 99% biosimilar penetration rate. Rituximab shows an 89% penetration rate, and trastuzumab stands at 72%. Encarnación Cruz, Director General of BioSim, stated that the rapid adoption demonstrates healthcare professionals' and public administration's confidence in the efficacy, safety, and quality of these drugs, noting that they free up significant economic resources to fund disruptive oncological innovation.