Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman, BSc, PhD; Claudia Wild, PhD; Alan Haycox, PhD Abstract: Venkatesan S et al. have researched patent rights and pricing for (non-)tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It is not clear why the patent rights are so long and why prices of (non-)tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be high. These issues are discussed.…

Author(s): Alan Haycox, PhD, Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Claudia Wild, PhD

cancer medicines, generics, health gain, prices, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0603.021

Editor's Letter

Published on 27 September 2017

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2017, Issue 3

It is clear that greater use of generics and biosimilars could greatly decrease healthcare costs and thereby increase availability of important medicines. It is equally clear that these potential savings are seldom achieved. The disconnect between what is possible and what is being achieved is related to a lack of trust on behalf of patients,…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0603.020

Submitted: 19 January 2017; Revised: 20 January 2017; Accepted: 23 January 2017; Published online first: 6 February 2017 In an article published in US Pharmacist [1] Manigault et al. emphasize a number of barriers that still exist to effective generics substitution in the US, and show how pharmacists, with some knowledge and insight, can help…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.019

Submitted: 13 March 2017; Revised: 15 March 2017; Accepted: 16 March 2017; Published online first: 29 March 2017 Generic drug manufacturing of four major cancer drugs could massively reduce their costs to the National Health Service in the UK, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal [1]. The study shows that generics…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.018

Abstract: In this paper, differences across the world are highlighted when it comes to the interchangeability of biosimilars. The lack of harmonization makes it difficult for biosimilars makers and could possibly delay access to life-saving treatments. Submitted: 6 April 2017; Revised: 14 April 2017; Accepted: 14 April 2017; Published online first: 28 April 2017 There…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, interchangeability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.017

Author byline as per print journal: Subramanian Venkatesan, MSc; Associate Professor Martine Lamfers, PhD; Professor Sieger Leenstra, MD, PhD; Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD, FCP Abstract: Kinase inhibitors form the largest class of novel anticancer drugs. To date, more than 20 kinase inhibitors have been approved for clinical use. Lengthy patent rights keep the cost…

Author(s): Associate Professor Martine Lamfers, PhD, Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD, FCP, Professor Sieger Leenstra, MD, PhD, Subramanian Venkatesan, MSc

anticancer drugs, kinase inhibitors, market exclusivity, patent expiry, targeted therapies

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.016

Introduction/Study objective: This paper aims to survey the policies implemented by European countries for pricing and promoting the use of biosimilar medicines and to explore similarities and differences with policies for generic medicines. Methods: A literature review was supplemented by primary data collection with policymakers. Members of the Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI) network,…

Author(s): Peter Schneider, MA, Sabine Vogler, PhD

biosimilar, generics, policy, pricing, substitution, tender

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.015

Author byline as per print journal: Jean-Baptiste Reiland, MSc; Barbara Freischem; Alexander Roediger, MA Introduction/Study objective Biosimilar policies with a focus on uptake have received a lot of attention at national and regional level in the last few years. It is now 10 years since the first biosimilar was approved in the European Union (EU), but…

Author(s): Alexander Roediger, MA, Executive MBA, Barbara Freischem, Jean-Baptiste Reiland, MSc

biological medicines, biosimilars, off-patent market, pricing and reimbursement policy

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.014

Abstract: Dr Brian Godman and Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali review Rida et al. regarding pricing strategies for pharmaceuticals in developing countries. Submitted: 15 March 2017; Revised: 22 March 2017; Accepted: 24 March 2017; Published online first: 6 April 2017 Rida and Ibrahim are to be congratulated on their extensive review of ongoing pricing strategies in…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali, PhD

developing countries, generics, pharmaceutical pricing policy

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.013

Abstract: Biosimilars policies are more controversial than those for generics. However, it is only a question of time before progress in biosimilars matches that of generics worldwide. Submitted: 21 April 2017; Revised: 28 April 2017; Accepted: 2 May 2017; Published online first: 15 May 2017 Healthcare systems worldwide are under increasing pressure due to the…

Author(s): Alessandro Curto, MSSc

biosimilars, Europe, pricing, reimbursement

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.012

Editor's Letter

Published on 12 June 2017

What to look forward to in GaBI Journal, 2017, Issue 2

The use both generics and biosimilars offers the potential to increase availability of medicines through decreases in cost that should occur when an expensive product (drug) loses patent protection and lower cost alternatives are marketed in countries with a ‘free-market’ economy. As the manuscripts in this issue of GaBI Journal emphasize, it is clear however…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0602.011

Submitted: 27 January 2017; Revised: 31 January 2017; Accepted: 1 February 2017; Published online first: 6 February 2017 Previous years have been momentous for biosimilars [1] and 2016 is no exception. This paper highlights the various developments that have taken place during 2016 for biosimilars. Important milestones achieved during 2016 were the biosimilar approvals of…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0601.010