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

Author byline as per print journal: Joshua P Cohen, PhD; Abigail E Felix, BA; Kim Riggs, MPH; Anumeha Gupta, MD Background: In the US, a new approval pathway for biosimilars has been established as part of the Affordable Care Act. Biosimilars are anticipated to increase treatment options and lower the growth in spending on biologicals. How the commercial…

Author(s): Abigail E Felix, BA, Anumeha Gupta, MD, Joshua P Cohen, PhD, Kim Riggs, MPH

biosimilar, formulary, interchangeability, originator biological, payers, price discount, therapeutic switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0303.028

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: Biosimilars have been approved in Europe since 2006 and in the US since 2015. With patents on originator biologicals expiring and ever-tightening healthcare budgets, biosimilars are expected to take an increasing share of the biologicals market. In light of these facts, this paper gives estimated patent expiry dates for just some of the best-selling…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biological, biosimilar, patent

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0601.006

Abstract: The arrival of biosimilars has led to considerable debate on how they can be used in clinical practice. A particular concern is related to the question of whether a biosimilar can be safely interchanged with the originator product or other biosimilars. Here we will discuss challenges to the regulatory approach for establishing interchangeability, in…

Author(s): Hans C Ebbers, PhD, Paul Chamberlain, BSc

biosimilars, immunogenicity, interchangeability, monoclonal antibodies, substitution, switching

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0302.022

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: There are many variables responsible for the pricing of generic medicines in Europe. This editorial looks at the many policy initiatives currently being undertaken. Submitted: 3 November 2011; Revised manuscript received: 23 November 2011; Accepted: 14 December 2011 In this first issue of the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative Journal, Professor Steven Simoens describes the…

Author(s): Associate Professor Marc A Koopmanschap, PhD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0101.002

Author byline as per print journal: Shih-Ting Chiu, PhD, Chen Chen, MSc, Professor Shein-Chung Chow, PhD, Eric Chi, PhD Introduction: For generic approval of small-molecule (chemical) drug products, US Food and Drug Administration requires evidence of equivalence in average bioavailability from bioavailability and bioequivalence studies. To address drug interchangeability, population bioequivalence (PBE) for drug prescribability…

Author(s): et al., Shih-Ting Chiu, MSc

extra-reference design, generalized pivotal quantity, individual bioequivalence, replicated crossover design

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.037

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: 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

Abstract: The pharmacist is an important patient advocate in the transplant multidisciplinary team and can support patients in their medication taking to improve medication adherence. Medicine optimization and patient information are also vital to this aim. For more than 20 years patients transplanted at our institution have undergone a structured post-operative self-medication training programme so…

Author(s): Andrea Devaney

generics substitution, immunosuoppressives, self-medication, tacrolimus, transplantation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0302.023

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