Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman1,2,3, BSc, PhD; Eleonora Allocati4, BSc, MSc; Evelien Moorkens5, BSc, MSc Abstract: Siu et al. comprehensively assessed the rapidly changing regulation and reimbursement environment for biologicals and biosimilars in Canada and the resultant implications. The current situation in Canada is compared with similar initiatives across different countries to…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Eleonora Allocati, BSc, MSc, Evelien Moorkens, BSc, MSc

biologicals, biosimilars, Canada, policy, regulation, savings

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0803.012

Editor's Letter

Published on 25 November 2019

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2019, Issue 3

Patients, their families and providers are facing increasing pressures related to the rapidly expanding global inequality which affects access to all components of a long, healthy, productive life including water, food, shelter, medical care, education, a free press, stable government and freedom from both natural and man-made threats including genocide and war. Attempts to increase…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0803.011

Submitted: 29 January 2019; Revised: 4 February 2019; Accepted: 5 February 2019; Published online first: 14 February 2019 Generic prescription drug prices have been escalating rapidly in the US. In 2014 alone, generic drug prices increased by 38% on average. Public outcry has led to a flurry of recent legislative proposals, and two federal bills…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.010

Introduction: The number of biosimilars, or similar biotherapeutic products, is expanding rapidly worldwide. A further 12 blockbuster biologicals are set to add to this number by 2020. Agreement about the best practices for the regulation, use, interchangeability and pharmacovigilance of biosimilars is lacking in many countries including in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).Methods:…

Author(s): Andrea Laslop, MD, Jian Wang, MD, PhD, Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath

biosimilars, costs, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), pharmacovigilance, regulators, switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.009

Author byline as per print journal: G Castañeda-Hernández, PhD; L Carbajal-Rodríguez, MD; M Cerón-Rodríguez, MD; Professor LC Correa-González, MD; A Esquivel-Aguilar, PhD; SJ Franco-Ornelas, MD; JE García Ortiz, PhD; CM Hernández-Guadarrama, MD; JI Navarrete-Martínez, MD; Y Santillán-Hernández, MD; E Terreros-Muñoz, MD Abstract: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the first-line treatment for Gaucher disease (GD). The…

Author(s): A Esquivel-Aguilar, PhD, CM Hernández-Guadarrama, MD, E Terreros-Muñoz, MD, G Castañeda-Hernández, JE García Ortiz, PhD, JI Navarrete-Martínez, MD, L Carbajal-Rodríguez, MD, M Cerón-Rodríguez, MD, Professor LC Correa-González, MD, SJ Franco-Ornelas, MD, Y Santillán-Hernández

biosimilar, Gaucher disease, imiglucerase, non-originator imiglucerase, orphan drugs

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.008

Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman1,2,3,4, BSc, PhD; Andrew Hill5; Professor Steven Simoens6, MSc, PhD; Amanj Kurdi1,7, BSc, PhD; Jolanta Gulbinovič8, MD, PhD; Antony P Martin2,9; Angela Timoney1,10; Dzintars Gotham11, MBBS; Janet Wale12; Tomasz Bochenek13, MD, PhD; Celia C Rothe13; Iris Hoxha14; Admir Malaj15; Christian Hierländer16; Robert Sauermann16, MD; Wouter Hamelinck17; Zornitza Mitkova18;…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

cancer, Europe, generic drug regulations, generics, health policies, pricing

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.007

Editor's Letter

Published on 14 August 2019

Unmet potential of Generics and Biosimilars to reduce healthcare costs

The high cost of pharmaceuticals has been gaining increasing attention as a threat to both healthcare systems and patients’ access to care globally. This GaBI issue contains articles focusing on the fact that generics and follow-on biologicals have yet to achieve their potential to mitigate these costs in most if not all countries. In an…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.006

Submitted: 4 March 2019; Revised: 25 April 2019; Accepted: 27 April 2019; Published online first: 30 April 2019 The availability of quality generic drug products plays an increasingly important role in promoting access to medicines worldwide and in helping to address rising healthcare costs. This, however, has led to significant pressures on medicines regulatory authorities…

Author(s): Alfredo García Arieta, PhD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0801.005

Submitted: 5 February 2019; Revised: 14 March 2019; Accepted: 20 March 2019; Published online first: 2 April 2019 The global market for biosimilars is valued at approximately US$4 billion, and it is growing rapidly as patents expire on an increasing number of biological drugs. A number of important milestones were achieved during 2018 regarding approval…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0801.004

Abstract: Over the last few years, there has been a shift in the landscape of blockbuster medicines from small molecule drugs to biologicals. While small molecule drugs still dominate the global pharmaceutical market in terms of numbers, seven of the top 10 best-selling medicines in 2018 were biologicals. The high and rising cost of biologicals…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor, GaBI Online Editor

biological, biosimilar, market exclusivity, patent

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0801.003

Abstract: Biological and biotechnological medicines are important pharmaceutical innovations due to their influence on the treatment of many conditions and because they have led the way in devising new and innovative pharmacological therapies. In addition, biosimilars, which can be authorized on the date of expiry of a biological originator’s patent, give an opportunity for the…

Author(s): Enrico Adriano Raffaelli, LLB, JD, Fausto Massimino, LLB, JD

advertising, biosimilars, competition, Italy, public tenders, scientific information

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0801.002

Editor's Letter

Published on 29 May 2019

Editor’s introduction to the initial issue of the eighth volume of GaBI Journal

This issue contains important information and manuscripts, but the small number of original papers illustrates the challenge the GaBI Journal (as well as many other legitimate journals) is having attracting quality work. This challenge may at least in part be the result of the rapid growth of medical journals. There are now tens of thousands…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2019.0801.001