Introduction: The use of biotechnological manufactured drugs, or biologicals, has increased massively over the past few years. Used especially in the treatment of cancer and other severe diseases, biologicals incur high annual therapy costs and represent an additional burden for healthcare systems. Expenditure can be decreased by using cheaper biosimilars, produced following the patent expiration of…

Author(s): Robert Haustein, Christoph de Millas, Ariane Höer, MD, Professor Bertram Häussler, MD

biologicals, biosimilars, cost savings, costs, epo, Europe, G-CSF, MAB

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.036

Author byline as per print journal: Thijs J Giezen, PharmD, PhD; Sabine MJM Straus, MD, PhD Abstract:  Post-marketing surveillance is essential to detect, assess and prevent adverse reactions of chemically synthesized small molecule drugs as well as biologicals, as the full safety profile can only be known after they have been placed on the market. Biologicals have…

Author(s): Sabine MJM Straus, MD, PhD, Thijs J Giezen, PharmD, PhD, MSc

biologicals, biosimilars, immunogenicity, pharmacovigilance, traceability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.033

Abstract:  A study presented at the 2010 Congress of the European Society of Cardiology, had created a considerable stir. Its abstract allegedly showed that the originator drug Lipitor was more beneficial than any of its generic statin equivalents. But, in fact the study merely showed that the different potencies of statins were not taken adequately…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc

cardiovascular risk, generics, inferiority, potency, statins

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.032

Abstract:  Dylst et al. provide a detailed overview about the characteristics of reference price systems in Europe and discuss their possible impact. The role of stakeholders in the implementation of this policy measure requires further attention. Submitted: 16 September 2012; Revised: 17 September 2012; Accepted: 19 September 2012; Published online first: 21 September 2012 Dylst…

Author(s): Sabine Vogler, PhD

generics policies, health professionals, patients, reference price system, reimbursement

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.031

Abstract:  Vogler and Zimmerman, reporting on the 2011 Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI) Conference, have noted the incomplete application of generics policies in many settings, and have called for more consistent policies. While many of the basic building blocks of such policies are well described, some elements required renewed attention. Submitted: 23 July 2012;…

Author(s): Andy Gray, MScPharm, FPS, FFIP

generics policies, transparency, WHO policy

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.027

Abstract:  Comment on the Letters to the Editor by Dr Carlo Petrini: A bioethicist’s view of the use of biosimilars Submitted: 8 October 2012; Revised: 9 October 2012; Accepted: 9 October 2012; Published online first: 11 October 2012 In the European Union the word ‘biosimilar’ denotes a copy version of an already authorized biological medicinal product with…

Author(s): Dr Kalle Hoppu

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.035

Abstract:  In recognition of the many ethically sensitive issues raised by the production and use of biosimilar medicinal products, the author imagines having to answer the non-multiple choice question ‘From the ethical point of view, what is the most important issue raised by biosimilars?’, and endeavours to explain why the proposed answer is ‘safety’. Submitted:…

Author(s): Carlo Petrini, PhD

bioethics, drugs, ethics committees, legislation, risk, safety

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.034

Editor's Letter

Published on 14 November 2012

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2012, issue 3-4

This issue of the GaBI Journal uses a number of article formats to cover a range of issues related to generics and biosimilars. In Letters to the Editor, Dr Carlo Petrini presents and defends the suggestion that the clinical use of biosimilars poses ethical concerns that differ from those of other pharmaceutical products. He even…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.037

Oncologists urged to embrace biosimilars to help control spiralling costs of cancer care Oncologists have been urged to embrace biosimilar drug substitution to help control the spiralling costs of cancer care. However, they have been warned that the optimal realisation of such a programme requires successful educational initiatives and the development of effective working partnerships with pharmacists and patients [1].…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0102.022

Abstract:  Marketed medicines that have passed bioequivalence testing should in general be substitutable. However, for a variety of reasons, caution may be warranted, particularly with regard to narrow therapeutic index drugs and the indiscriminate use of biosimilars. The Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP) has published professional guidelines for community pharmacies concerning generic substitution. The guidelines…

Author(s): Leonora Grandia, PharmD, Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD, FCP

biologicals, biosimilars, Dutch guidelines, generics substitution, interchangeability, narrow therapeutic index drugs

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0102.021

Introduction: To describe pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement systems in 29 European countries with regard to medicines, particularly generics, and their possible impact on generics uptake. Method: Data collection on pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies with the staff of competent authorities. Results: In most European countries the prices of medicines are controlled at the stage of manufacture (ex-factory price)…

Author(s): Sabine Vogler, PhD

generics policies, generics substitution, INN prescribing, pricing, reference pricing system, reimbursement

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0102.020

Abstract:  A number of generic products containing clopidogrel as the active substance have been marketed in Austria and the EU for some time. Due to different clopidogrel salt preparations and different indications, doubts arose as to whether the products could be considered as equivalent. The Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG)/The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc

bioequivalence, clopidogrel, drug substitution, drugs, generics, therapeutic equivalence

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0102.019