Author byline as per print journal: Marzieh Zargaran1, PharmD, PhD Candidate; Abdol Majid Cheraghali 2,3, PharmD, PhD; Fatemeh Soleymani1,2, PharmD, MPH, PhD; Rajabali Daroudi4, BSc, MSc, PhD; Ali Akbari Sari4, MD, PhD; Professor Shekoufeh Nikfar1,2, PharmD, MPH, PhD Background: Enacting national policies which empower the local production of medications is a promising way to improve…

Domestic production, Iranian health policy, medicines consumption, pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical market, trend analysis

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2021.1001.003

Author byline as per print journal: Hye-Na Kang1, PhD; Robin Thorpe2, PhD; Ivana Knezevic1, PhD; Daehyun Baek3, PhD; Parichard Chirachanakul4; Hui Ming Chua5; Dina Dalili6, PhD; Freddie Foo7, MSc; Kai Gao8, PhD; Suna Habahbeh9, PhD; Hugo Hamel10, PhD; Edwin Nkansah11, PhD; Maria Savkina12, PhD; Oleh Semeniuk13; Shraddha Srivastava14; João Tavares Neto15, PhD; Meenu Wadhwa16, PhD;…

approval, biosimilar, survey, World Health Organization (WHO)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2021.1001.002

Editor's Letter

Published on 23 February 2021

First 2021 GaBI Journal issue highlights

The articles in this first issue contain a large volume of useful information on the global development, approval, manufacturing, marketing, and uptake of biosimilars. The first Original Research by Dr Hye-Na Kang et al. from the World Health Organization (WHO) presents an extensive listing of data on the status of approved similar biotherapeutic products. While,…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2021.1001.001

Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman1,2,3, BSc, PhD; Eleonora Allocati4, BSc, MSc; Evelien Moorkens5, MSc, PhD; Hye-Young Kwon, PhD1,6 Abstract: There is an increasing need to prescribe biosimilars to fund new medicines and increasing medicine volumes. Bertolani and Jommi document successful measures introduced regionally in Italy. The recent GaBI Journal manuscript by Bertolani…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Eleonora Allocati, BSc, MSc, Evelien Moorkens, BSc, MSc, Hye-Young Kwon, BPharm, MPH, PhD

biosimilars, demand-side measures, educational initiatives, Italy, savings

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.029

Author byline as per print journal: Adjunct Associate Professor Sia Chong Hock1, BSc (Pharm), MSc; Vernon Tay1, BSc (Pharm) (Hons); Vimal Sachdeva2, MSc; Associate Professor Chan Lai Wah1, BSc (Pharm) (Hons), PhD Abstract: Data Integrity, which is data deemed Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, and Available (ALCOA-plus), has been the focus of…

Author(s): Adjunct Associate Professor Sia Chong Hock, BSc (Pharm), MSc, Associate Professor Chan Lai Wah, BSc (Pharm) (Hon), PhD, Vernon Tay, BSc (Pharm) (Hons), Vimal Sachdeva, MSc

ALCOA-plus, audit trail, blockchain technology, computerized system, cooperation, data integrity

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.028

Author byline as per print journal: Arianna Bertolani, PhD; Claudio Jommi, MS Study Objectives: Different policies have been implemented to enhance uptake of biosimilars. Regarding policies focussing on the demand-side, the literature has mainly concentrated on interchangeability and substitutability recommendations, issued by national or regional policymakers. Information on actions taken by healthcare organisations (HCOs) regarding…

Author(s): Arianna Bertolani, PhD, Claudio Jommi, MS

biosimilars, Italian national health service, local policies

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.027

Author byline as per print journal: Jolita Seckute1, PhD; Ingrid Castellanos2, PhD; Steven Bane1, PhD Study Objectives: To evaluate extended in-use stability of bevacizumab biosimilar, ABP 215, after dilution into intravenous bags, extended storage, and simulated infusion to enable advanced preparation and storage. Methods: Two lots of ABP 215 were diluted to high- (16.5 mg/mL)…

ABP 215, administration, bevacizumab, biosimilar, infusion, stability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.026

Abstract: In the US, 28 biosimilars have been approved, with 10 in the last two years. The US is keeping pace with the EU who pioneered biosimilars approvals a decade earlier. Herein, current FDA regulations and hurdles encountered for US biosimilar approval and uptake are discussed. Submitted: 12 October 2020; Revised: 28 October 2020; Accepted:…

Author(s): Madelaine A Feldman, MD, FACR, Michael S Reilly, Esq

biosimilars, competition, FDA, market share, sustainability, US

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.025

Abstract: This editorial highlights the importance of carrying out comparative studies of patient tolerance to biosimilars and originator products. Minor side effects can affect their acceptability. Submitted: 23 September 2020; Revised: 2 October 2020; Accepted: 6 October 2020; Published online first: 12 October 2020 The previous issue of GaBI Journal published a manuscript entitled ‘Systematic…

Author(s): Professor Alain Astier, PharmD, PhD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.024

Editor's Letter

Published on 30 November 2020

Medical journal publication during global stress

This issue of the GaBI Journal is being published during one of the most turbulent periods in over a century. A deadly pandemic is raging, the global economy is stressed, and the negative impacts of global weather changes as well as both the number and impact of regional conflicts are all increasing rapidly. While these…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0904.023

Author byline as per print journal: Professor John-Joseph Borg, PhD; Yolanda Elias Gramajo, MD; Professor Andrea Laslop, MD; Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath; Jian Wang, MD, PhD Introduction: Biosimilars have the potential to improve access to medicines for many across the globe. However, work is required to ensure adequate regulation, pharmacovigilance and education about biosimilars. Colombia…

Author(s): Jian Wang, MD, PhD, Professor Andrea Laslop, MD, Professor John-Joseph Borg, Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath, Yolanda Elias Gramajo, MD

biologicals, biosimilars, Colombia, INVIMA

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.022

Author byline as per print journal: Karsten Roth, PhD; Hendrik Wessels, PhD; Josef Höfler, PhD; Ulrike Scholz, PhD; Dirk Lehnick, PhD Abstract: Pelmeg® is a biosimilar pegfilgrastim, which obtained European Union (EU) regulatory approval in September 2018, with marketing beginning in January 2019. A comprehensive analytical, functional and preclinical comparability programme demonstrated a high degree…

Author(s): Dirk Lehnick, PhD, Hendrik Wessels, PhD, Josef Höfler, PhD, Karsten Roth, PhD, Ulrike Scholz, PhD

biosimilar, filgrastim, Neulasta®, pegfilgrastim, Pelmeg®, targeted development

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.021