Biopharmaceuticals have transformed the treatment landscape for autoimmune diseases with musculoskeletal (MSK) involvement—rheumatoid arthritis, lupus , psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies or other autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel diseases with MSK manifestations—delivering substantial improvements in clinical outcomes and quality of life. However, these advances come with rapidly rising costs and complex implications for health-care budgets, access, and long-term value. This special issue seeks to examine the pharmacoeconomic dimensions of biopharmaceutical therapy in autoimmune disease, integrating evidence from clinical trials, real-world data, and health-technology assessments to inform clinicians, payers, policymakers, and researchers.

We invite contributions that critically evaluate cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and budget-impact of originator biologics, biosimilars, and emerging modalities (e.g., cell and gene therapies). Submissions may address methodological challenges in economic modeling, comparative effectiveness, impact of adherence and switching, health equity and access, pricing and reimbursement strategies, and outcomes-based contracting. Studies using Markov and microsimulation models, real-world evidence, patient-reported outcomes, and long-term value frameworks are particularly welcome.

By bringing together rigorous economic analyses and policy-focused perspectives, this issue aims to clarify trade-offs between innovation, affordability, and equitable access, and to propose pragmatic strategies for sustainable adoption of high-value therapies. We encourage interdisciplinary work that advances methodological standards and supports evidence-based decisions to optimize health outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: Pharmacoeconomics, auto-immune diseases, budget impact, healthcare outcomes, biopharmaceuticals