Submitted: 21 November 2016; Revised: 22 November 2016; Accepted: 24 November 2016; Published online first: 30 November 2016 A study of pharmacists investigated their perceptions of biosimilar naming conventions and the impact it might have on their dispensing habits [1]. The study found that pharmacists had a preference for distinguishable names. However, using the same…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.048

Abstract: How has the European Medicines Agency (EMA) changed its requirements for biosimilars since it first approved biosimilars in 2006? This is the question Dr Martina Weise, Head of Licensing Division at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), discussed at the 14th Annual Biosimilar Medicines Group Conference. Submitted: 1 December 2016; Revised:…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, biosimiliarity, data requirements, extrapolation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.047

Author byline as per print journal: Omotayo Fatokun, PhD; Professor Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim, PhD; Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali, PhD Abstract: There are major barriers to generic medicine development and market entry in Malaysia. This mixed method study recommends strategies to increase uptake. Submitted: 25 October 2016; Revised: 15 November 2016; Accepted: 21 November 2016; Published…

Author(s): Omotayo Fatokun, PhD, Professor Mohamed Azmi Hassali, PhD, Professor Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim, PhD

generic medicines, Malaysia, market entry, patent, pharmaceutical market

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.046

Abstract: European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) monographs for biotherapeutic products have existed since the 1990s and remain the publicly available standard defining the quality of these medicines. Continued development of such monographs however faces considerable challenges in the current environment. This manuscript addresses what the main challenges are (complexity of biologicals, setting of specifications, relations with…

Author(s): Emmanuelle Charton, PhD

biotherapeutic products, complexity of biologicals, monographs, pharmacopoeia, public standards

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.045

Abstract: The role of sound science, discovery, and innovation in value-added pharmaceuticals has not been sufficiently considered. This term is mainly used to define improved version of generic drugs. The concept of value-added pharmaceuticals has been picked up by different groups of companies, some are aiming to increase willingness to pay for their modified pharmaceutical…

Author(s): Fereshteh Barei, PhD

competitive advantage, generic pharmaceuticals, innovation, value-added pharmaceuticals

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.044

Author byline as per print journal: Joan O’Callaghan, BSc Pharm; Sean Barry, PhD; Una Moore, PhD; Margaret Bermingham, PhD; J Michael Morris, PhD; Frank Hallinan, PhD; Brendan T Griffin, PhD Abstract: Regulatory Science Ireland (RSI) is a voluntary network of interested parties from academia, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), pharmaceutical and medical device industries and government…

Author(s): Brendan T Griffin, PhD, Frank Hallinan, PhD, J Michael Morris, PhD, Joan O’Callaghan, BSc Pharm, Margaret Bermingham, PhD, Sean Barry, PhD, Una Moore, PhD

biological medicines, biosimilar, Health Products Regulatory Authority, regulatory science, Regulatory Science Ireland

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.043

Author byline as per print journal: Shyam Akku, MD; Amit Garg, MD; Suhas Khandarkar, MPharm Introduction: Majority of the Colombian population has become health insured leading to improved healthcare access in the country. Healthcare expenses have risen drastically, and cancer is responsible for the major disease burden. An option to reduce cost burden is to replace…

Author(s): Amit Garg, MD, Shyam Akku, MD, Suhas Khandarkar, MPharm

anticancer drugs, cost-minimization, generics, pharmacoeconomics

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.042

Author byline as per print journal: Babar Khan, BPharm, MPH, PhD; Brian Godman, BSc, PhD; Ayesha Babar, BPharm, MPhil; Shahzad Hussain, BPharm, MPhil; Sidra Mahmood, PharmD, MSc; Tahir Aqeel, BPharm, MPhil Introduction: There are concerns over the quality of generic medicines in Pakistan. This is due to perceived non-compliance with good manufacturing practice (GMP), whereby the…

Author(s): Ayesha Babar, BPharm, MPhil, Babar Khan, BPharm, MPH, PhD, Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, Shahzad Hussain, BPharm, MPhil, Sidra Mahmood, PharmD, MSc, Tahir Aqeel, BPharm, MPhil

API (active pharmaceutical ingredient), Drugs Regulatory Authority, generics, ibuprofen, Pakistan

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.041

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Philip J Schneider, MS, FASHP; Michael S Reilly, Esq Introduction: To date, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has offered only draft guidance on the naming of biosimilar medicines. The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) has asked pharmacists for their views on the labelling and naming of…

Author(s): Michael S Reilly, Esq, Professor Philip J Schneider, MS, FASHP, FASPEN, FFIP

ASBM, biologicals, biosimilars, labelling, naming, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.040

Abstract: Physicians are pondering the clinical use of biosimilars. A reliance on clinical trials is deeply rooted in the modern healthcare system, whereas comparability and totality of evidence remain unknown concepts. This editorial explores these ideas, with reference to a case study of Italian gastroenterologists. Submitted: 24 October 2016; Revised: 1 November 2016; Accepted: 1…

Author(s): Adjunct Professor Pekka Kurki, MD, PhD

biosimilars, NOR-SWITCH, totality of evidence

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.039

Editor's Letter

Published on 16 December 2016

Fourth and final issue of GaBI Journal’s fifth volume

This fourth and final GaBI Journal issue of 2016 begins with the paper by Adjunct Professor Pekka Kurki about ‘applying ancient principles in a modern society’ in which he discusses a perspective recently published in our journal from Annese et al. that presented the skeptical views expressed by Italian gastroenterologists concerning extrapolation of indications for…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.038

Abstract: A study of the factors influencing generics makers’ decision on whether to enter a specific market found that firm size, market revenue and expected competition all had an effect. Market size was also positively associated with the entry of more generics. The effect of a financial subsidy on generics entry was also investigated. Submitted:…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

financial subsidy, generics entry, generics market, price competition

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0503.037