Contents Editor’s Letter Fourth and final issue of GaBI Journal’s fifth volume Editorial Physicians, Hippocrates and biosimilars: applying ancient principles in a modern society Original Research Naming and labelling of biologicals – the perspective of hospital and retail pharmacists Assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients in drug registration procedures in Pakistan: implications for the future Review…

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

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: In 2016, a multi-stakeholder workshop was held on the topic of ‘Biosimilar Labelling’. The discussions concerning labelling particulars are outlined in this meeting report. Submitted: 21 November 2016; Revised: 23 January 2017; Accepted: 24 January 2017; Published online first: 6 February 2017 Introduction Labels on medicinal products contain information for pharmacists, physicians and patients.…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, labelling, patients, pharmacists, physicians, Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0601.008

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

Author byline as per print journal: Barbara OM Claus, PharmD, PhD; Tiene Bauters, PharmD, PhD; Annemie Somers, PharmD, PhD Abstract: In the coming decade, many patents for biological pharmaceuticals will expire. Consequently, the market for biosimilars has the potential to grow rapidly. For safety reasons, the more extensive use of a greater variety of biologicals increases…

Author(s): Barbara OM Claus, PharmD, PhD, Professor Annemie Somers, PharmD, PhD, Tiene Bauters, PharmD, PhD

biologicals, biosimilars, hospitals, pharmacovigilance

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0601.005

Introduction: The US Food and Drug Association (FDA) released its requirements for the non-proprietary naming of biological products in January 2017. Before the FDA’s release, the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) asked physicians for their views on the labelling and naming of biosimilar medicines. Study objectives: To determine the opinions of physicians who prescribe…

Author(s): Harry L Gewanter, MD, FAAP, FACR, Michael S Reilly, Esq

ASBM, biosimilar, interchangeability, labelling, legislation, naming

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0601.003

Submitted: 1 December 2016; Revised: 6 December 2016; Accepted: 7 December 2016; Published online first: 12 December 2016 In Sweden, the government funds an insurance programme covering 75–80% of the cost of prescription drugs for patients. Since 2002, in an attempt to contain costs, pharmacists have had to inform consumers whether less expensive substitute products…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.050

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

Submitted: 28 November 2016; Revised: 29 November 2016; Accepted: 30 November 2016; Published online first: 5 December 2016 In the journal Blood, Jones et al. [1] discuss strategies used by brand pharmaceutical companies, often in combination, to delay market entry of affordable generic drugs in the US and other countries. They highlight how these strategies…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.051

Submitted: 21 November 2016; Revised: 22 November 2016; Accepted: 24 November 2016; Published online first: 30 November 2016 Authors from the IRCCS – Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’, Milan, Italy discuss some of the most frequent concerns raised by internists (doctors of internal medicine) about biosimilars [1]. They also try to explain the scientific…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.049

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