Author byline as per print journal: Alessandro Curto, MSSc, Katelijne Van de Vooren, MSc, Roberta Lo Muto, MSc, Silvy Duranti, MBA, Professor Livio Garattini Introduction: Health care in Italy is mainly delivered through the country’s National Health Service (NHS), a public service funded by general taxation. The system is highly decentralized and each one of…

Author(s): Alessandro Curto, MSSc, Katelijne Van de Vooren, MSc, Professor Livio Garattini, Roberta Lo Muto, MSc, Silvy Duranti, MBA

biosimilars, competition, Italy, regions, tender

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.036

Author byline as per print journal: Frank Mueller, MSc, Manal Moussa, MSc, Maria El Ghazaly, MSc, Jan Rohde, PhD, Nicole Bartsch, MSc, Antje Parthier, PhD, Frank Kensy, Dr Ing Background: Osteoporosis is a bone disease of the elderly that leads to increased risk of fracture. Currently, it affects more than 200 million adults worldwide, placing…

Author(s): et al., Frank Mueller, MSc

fermentation, hansenula polymorpha, parathyroid hormone fragment, recombinant protein, rPTH 1-34

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.035

Abstract: Dr Brian Godman reviews the paper by Markovic-Pekovic et al. regarding recent reforms in the Republic of Srpska. These include prescribing restrictions where concerns with the value of products and measures to obtain low prices for generics, which is important given the rhetoric. Submitted: 11 June 2013; Revised: 13 June 2013; Accepted: 17 June…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD

demand-side measures, generics, renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs, Srpska, statins, supply-side measures

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.029

Abstract: New regulations for the development of biosimilars have been introduced in Europe and a new class of biosimilars – monoclonal antibodies – is expected on the market soon, which will both challenge and benefit our healthcare systems. Submitted: 3 June 2013; Revised: 16 July 2013; Accepted: 23 July 2013; Published online first: 5 August…

Author(s): Professor Andrea Laslop, MD

biosimilars, comparability, extrapolation, monoclonal antibodies, switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.034

Abstract: In 2010, the Council of the European Society for Organ Transplantation formed an Advisory Committee to formulate recommendations on the use of generic drugs in solid organ transplant recipients. The initiative was taken as a result of concerns regarding generic substitution of immunosuppressive drugs. The recommendations were published in Transplant International, and this paper…

Author(s): Professor Teun van Gelder, MD, PhD

ciclosporin, generics substitution, immunosuppression, mycophenolate, tacrolimus, transplantation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.031

Abstract: The AIFA’s position paper recognizes the relevance of biosimilars to ensure the sustainability of drug expenditure but the new price and reimbursement procedure may not favour their prompt market access. Submitted: 26 June 2013; Revised: 10 July 2013; Accepted: 11 July 2013; Published online first: 24 July 2013 In the final position paper on…

Author(s): Gianluigi Casadei, MD

AIFA, biosimilars, market access, position paper, pricing, reimbursement

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.033

Editor's Letter

Published on 30 September 2013

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2013, Issue 3

The GaBI Journal again contains manuscripts covering a wide range of pertinent topics. In an Editorial, Dr Gianluigi Casadei reviews Italy’s final position paper on biosimilars including the new price and reimbursement position from the Italian Medicines Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, AIFA). Dr Casadei questions how much of a ‘step forward’ as well as…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.032

Abstract: The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is Japan’s regulatory agency, which works together with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. At the 24th Drug Information Association Annual EuroMeeting in March 2012, PMDA presented an overview of recent trends and special topics in new drug review. Here, the current status and trends are…

Author(s): Toshiki Sugita, PhD

approval review, global clinical trials, Japanese regulatory authority, PMDA, prior assessment consultation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.024

Abstract: Chemotherapy-induced anaemia can be treated using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), but these can cause serious side-effects including tumour progression, venous thromboembolism, and shorter survival. Following extensive review of recent literature, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology have updated their guidelines on the use of ESAs. New recommendations include minimising…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

chemotherapy-induced anaemia, darbopoetin, epoetin, erythropoetin-stimulating agents, haemoglobin, thromboembolism

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.018

Abstract: The introduction of new legislation in Latin America for the approval of biosimilar products follows implementation of EU legislation in 2005 for biosimilars approval. The establishment of regulatory processes for these complex drugs will ensure that evidence of safety and efficacy is obtained before approval. Biosimilars are high on the health-policy agenda because they…

Author(s): Chang Chiann, PhD, Leonardo de Souza Teixeira, PhD, Fabiana Fernandes de Santana e Silva Cardoso, MSc, Isabela da Costa César, PhD, Gerson Antônio Pianetti, PhD

biosimilarity, complex drugs, Latin America

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.021

Abstract: Cancer represents a significant, and growing, burden on healthcare systems. This is driven, at least in part, by escalating cancer drug budgets. Loss of patent protection on biopharmaceuticals enables the development and production of similar biological medicines, or biosimilars. Biosimilars are currently available for use in oncology in the supportive care setting; the focus…

Author(s): Matti Aapro, MD

biosimilars, cost burden, oncology

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.023

Abstract: This position paper deals with our regulatory opinion on registered generic immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, and provides arguments why these medicines are considered equally safe and effective as the branded drug based on demonstrated bioequivalence. Though regulators acknowledge the worries from the field, we are of the opinion that there…

Author(s): Marc Maliepaard, PhD, Yang Yu, PharmD, Professor Hubert GM Leufkens, PharmD, PhD

bioequivalence, drug safety, generics, immunosuppression, regulation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.019