Submitted: 17 November 2017; Revised: 20 November 2017; Accepted: 22 November 2017; Published online first: 5 December 2017 The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor infliximab is known to significantly improve the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The high cost of biological originators, however, has meant that…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.042

Abstract: This paper highlights differences between USA and Europe when it comes to the interchangeability of biosimilars. The lack of harmonization between USA and Europe may introduce confusion for stakeholders and biosimilars makers and could be delaying access to life-saving treatments. Submitted: 5 December 2017; Revised: 7 December 2017; Accepted: 8 December 2017; Published online…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, EMA, interchangeability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.039

Abstract: Comment on the Special Report by Professor Gerrit Borchard: Complexity in the making: non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) and the pharmacopoeias, published in GaBI Journal, 2016;5(1):36-41. Submitted: 3 November 2017; Revised: 13 November 2017; Accepted: 15 November 2017; Published online first: 28 November 2017 We thank you for publishing the manuscript entitled ‘Complexity in the making: non-biological…

Author(s): Karthik Bodhinathan, PhD, MSM

Glatiramer acetate, multiple sclerosis, non-biological complex drug (NBCD)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.032

Abstract: An extensive overview of policies related to pharmacy-mediated substitution of biosimilars across the world was carried out by Larkin et al. in 2017. The details of this are discussed in this commentary. Submitted: 17 November 2017; Revised: 28 November 2017; Accepted: 4 December 2017; Published online first: 15 December 2017 Introduction An extensive overview…

Author(s): Thijs J Giezen, PharmD, PhD, MSc

biosimilar, policy, regulation, substitution, switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.033

Introduction: Launched in 2015, Zarxio™ (filgrastim-sndz) was the first biosimilar to gain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. In contrast, the first biosimilar was launched in Europe in 2006. Objective: To identify key biosimilar sales and marketing trends and their drivers, this will enable best practices to be outlined for manufacturers looking to enter…

Author(s): Michael Sarshad, BSc, MBA

biosimilar, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Zarxio

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.035

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Pere Gascón, MD; Ruediger Jankowsky, PhD; Karsten Roth, PhD Abstract: Cinfa Biotech, the biosimilars specialists of the Cinfa Group, reviewed pegfilgrastim biosimilar approaches to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Professor Dr Gascón discussed ’perspectives of pegfilgrastim’ and Dr Roth and Dr Jankowsky discussed why biosimilars are vital for oncology care. Submitted:…

Author(s): Karsten Roth, PhD, Professor Pere Gascón, MD, Ruediger Jankowsky, PhD

biosimilars, biotech, G-CSF, neutropenia, pegfilgrastim

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.040

Abstract: The European Commission held a stakeholder event to discuss biosimilar medicinal products in May 2017. A session on building stakeholder confidence in biosimilar medicines provided an update of the latest available clinical experiences with biosimilar medicines, focusing on switching between biological medicines and interchangeability. Assistant Professor Gianluca Trifirò from the University of Messina, Italy,…

Author(s): Assistant Professor Gianluca Trifirò, MD, PhD

best practice, biosimilar, interchangeability, pharmacovigilance, switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.038

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in high-income countries are likely to accept the introduction of generic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, according to a study carried out by researchers in Ireland [1]. Between July and August 2015, a survey of 66 patients was carried out in one-to-one interviews at St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Descriptive and univariate…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.041

Submitted: 19 June 2017; Revised: 5 September 2017; Accepted: 6 September 2017; Published online first: 19 September 2017 Introduction Comparative research on the European and US generic drug markets based on 2013 IMS data across 13 European countries with different generic drug policies has recently been accepted for publication in the Milbank Quarterly [1], and…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.043

Author byline as per print journal: Mohammad Bashaar, PhD; Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali, PhD; Fahad Saleem, PhD Abstract: The soaring costs of medicine are a global dilemma. It was hoped that the concept of essential medicines would help countries and policymakers contain the climbing costs of medicine over the last 40 years. This concept was conceived to…

Author(s): Fahad Saleem, Mohammad Bashaar, Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali, PhD

access barriers, affordability, essential medicines, medicine prices

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.036

Author byline as per print journal: Adjunct Professor Valderilio Feijó Azevedo, MD, PhD, MBA; Associate Professor Brian Bressler, MD, MS, FRCPC; Madelaine A Feldman, MD, FACR; Professor Alejandro Mercedes, MD Abstract: As more biological medicines and biosimilars become increasingly available worldwide, clear product identification is critical for accurate pharmacovigilance. Submitted: 25 September 2017; Revised: 25 September…

Author(s): Alejandro Mercedes, MD, Associate Professor Valderilio Feijó Azevedo, MD, PhD, MSc, Brian Bressler, MD, Madelaine A Feldman, MD, FACR

Biological Qualifier (BQ), biosimilars, International Nonproprietary Name (INN), naming, pharmacovigilance, World Health Organization (WHO)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.031

Contents Editor’s Letter Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2017, Issue 3 Commentary Patent expiry and costs for anti­cancer medicines for clinical use Original Research A survey of Australian prescribers’ views on the naming and substitution of biologicals Review Article Biosimilars in Italy: what do real-world data reveal? Special Report Physician associations comment on FDA’s interchangeability…