Submitted: 9 January 2013; Revised: 11 January 2013; Accepted: 15 January 2013; Published online first: 22 January 2013 In October 2012, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) launched its final Patient-Centred Healthcare Indicators Review and accompanying consultation report [1]. The review forms the initial stage of a wider project being undertaken by IAPO to develop a set of process and outcome…

Author(s): Yasemin Dil

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.005

There have been established guidelines for approving generic versions of small molecule chemical drugs in India for some time already. However, no specific guidelines for ‘similar biologics’, as the Indian regulatory authorities call these products, have existed in India until recently. This has been the case despite the fact that the requirements for granting regulatory…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.006

Epilepsy features the unpredictable onset of seizures that can be devastating to a patient’s quality of life. Fortunately there are medications available to control the onset of seizures. But because these have to be taken over the long term, healthcare providers need to consider whether to take advantage of cheap generic alternatives to brand-name antiepileptic…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.002

Abstract:  The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has updated its 2006 guideline on the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN), a sometimes fatal condition in which a loss of neutrophils in patients receiving chemotherapy leads to infections and fever. The guideline provides recommendations on…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

febrile neutropenia, G-CSF, leukaemia, lymphoma, myelosuppression, risk

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.016

Author byline as per print journal: Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath; Meenu Wadhwa, PhD Abstract: The importance of monoclonal antibodies as a product class and the challenge of assessing unwanted immunogenicity for these products have prompted the drafting of a new CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) guideline. The ‘Guideline on immunogenicity assessment of…

Author(s): Meenu Wadhwa, PhD, Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath

biosimilar, comparability, quality, risk, safety

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.007

Abstract: The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is a Japanese drug regulatory agency, sharing responsibilities with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Its mission is to protect the public health by assuring safety, efficacy and quality of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This paper introduces PMDA’s current situation (until spring 2012) including its organisational…

Author(s): Yuki Ando, BA, Toshiyoshi Tominaga, PhD, Tatsuya Kondo, MD, PhD

approval review, international strategy, Japanese regulatory authority, PMDA, regulatory science, safety measure

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.013

Author byline as per print journal: Richard O Dolinar, MD; Michael S Reilly Abstract  Biologicals are advanced prescription drugs to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases. In November 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began consultation with patient groups, physicians and industry on how to approve the first copies…

Author(s): Michael S Reilly, Esq, Richard O Dolinar, MD

biologicals, biosimilars, FDA guidelines, patient safety, pharmacovigilance

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.014

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Joan Rovira, PhD; Leandro Lindner, BSc; Emmanuel Giménez, BSc; Professor Jaime Espín, PhD; Antonio Olry de Labry, PhD; Leticia García, BSc Introduction and study objectives: To describe the development of biosimilars in 24 European Union (EU) Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland, and to identify the key parameters…

Author(s): Antonio Olry de Labry, PhD, Emmanuel Giménez, BSc, Leandro Lindner, BSc, Leticia García, BSc, Professor Jaime Espín, PhD, Professor Joan Rovira, PhD

biosimilars, European Union, market dynamics

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.012

Abstract: The clinical importance of biopharmaceuticals for the management of life threatening diseases is increasing but costs have become a major obstacle to the administration of these medicines, especially in resource limited healthcare systems. Introduction of biosimilars as a cost-effective alternative to innovator biopharmaceuticals has attracted the attention of both industry and policymakers. However, due…

Author(s): Professor Abdol Majid Cheraghali, PharmaD, PhD

biopharmaceuticals, biosimilars, Iran, pharmacovigilance

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.008

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Shein-Chung Chow, PhD, Christine Ju, MSc Abstract: Biological (large molecule) drug products are made via living systems and are complex and variable in nature. As a result, generic forms of biological products, also termed biosimilars in the EU or follow-on biologics by the US Food and Drug Administration, can…

bioequivalence, biosimilarity, BPCIA, follow-on biologics, interchangeability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.004

Background: Due to the declining innovativeness of the classic R & D model in the original pharmaceutical industry, the generic pharmaceutical industry is aiming to become an innovation generator itself. Objective: The objective of this article is to gain insight into the re-innovation model in some of the innovative generic pharmaceutical firms. To this effect,…

Author(s): Fereshteh Barei, PhD, Professor Claude Le Pen, PhD, Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

competition strategy, product portfolio, re-innovation, super generics, technology platforms

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.011

Abstract:  Biosimilars have the potential for making savings in healthcare costs, and with resource allocation, if competition is permitted at the level of treatment induction. Submitted: 24 August 2012; Revised: 17 January 2013; Accepted: 4 February 2013; Published online first: 13 February 2013 The last decade or so has seen the introduction of many truly innovative biological pharmaceuticals that have had a…

Author(s): Gustaf Befrits

biosimilar pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, EU, healthcare financing, substitution, Sweden

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0201.009