Introduction: Switching from originator products to generic equivalents is a key method used by governments to reduce costs and keep their healthcare systems sustainable. The aim of this article is to review generic medicine pricing in Europe by analysing the factors that influence them. Methods: The literature review focused on selected studies that highlighted generic…

Author(s): Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

Europe, generic medicines, pharmaceutical policy, pricing

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0101.004

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: Dr Brian Godman reviews the paper by Vogler and Zimmermann on sickness fund activity in Austria to preferentially encourage the prescribing of generics. This is particularly important given the resources that can be released through increased prescribing of generics. Submitted: 10 June 2013; Revised: 11 June 2013; Accepted: 12 June 2013; Published online first: 20 June 2013 Vogler and Zimmermann have…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD

Austria, demand-side measures, generics, sickness funds

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0202.026

Abstract: Biosimilars are highly similar versions of reference biological products, some with the potential to be deemed ‘interchangeable’ by regulatory bodies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration. Biosimilar patent litigation continues to evolve as biosimilars enter new global markets. This manuscript takes a look at patent litigation strategies in a more developed biosimilars…

Author(s): Brian J Malkin, Esq

biosimilars, follow-on biological, Inter Partes Review, litigation, opposition, patent

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.026

Abstract: The attractiveness of the biosimilar regulatory pathway is threatened by so-called biobetters. This paper provides definitions and an overview of recent developments. Submitted: 27 October 2014; Revised: 7 November 2014; Accepted: 12 November 2014; Published online first: 25 November 2014 Concerning the biosimilar landscape, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was among the first institutions…

Author(s): René Anour, DVM

biobetter, biosimilar, competition, interchangeability, regulatory pathways

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0304.039

Introduction/Study objectives: Between March and May 2017, Pfizer conducted an internal global survey of 82 countries examining biosimilar pharmacy-mediated substitution to understand and benchmark the global policy landscape. Methods: Pfizer regulatory and corporate affairs colleagues completed a survey: Are pharmacists in your country able to substitute a biological with a biosimilar without the physician being…

Author(s): Hannah Larkin, Judith Macdonald, Rebecca Lumsden, PhD

biosimilars, global, interchangeability, pharmacy, regulation, substitution

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2017.0604.034

Author byline as per print journal: Pieter Dylst, PharmD; Professor Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD; Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD Introduction: A reference pricing system is a system that establishes a common reimbursement level or reference price for a group of interchangeable medicines, i.e. the reference group. This article provides an overview of the different characteristics of the different…

Author(s): Pieter Dylst, PharmD, Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD, FCP, Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

Europe, generic drugs, reference pricing system, reimbursement, review

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0103-4.028

Abstract: Many generic drugs are now being prescribed and the trend is increasing. For example, in Austria, the number of all generics prescriptions has more than doubled from 11% in 2000 to 23% in 2010. However, many myths and questions about generic drugs remain and information may be difficult to come by. It is therefore…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc

bioequivalence, drug substitution, generics authorisation, legislation, patent, therapeutic equivalency/outcome

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0101.009

Background: Uptake of super generic or hybrid pharmaceuticals has decelerated despite their important economic potential for the generic pharmaceutical industry. The aim of switching to these product portfolios was to enable product differentiation; however, these strategies are influenced by new semantic challenges, which have hampered the promotion of value-added pharmaceuticals or super generics in recent…

Author(s): Fereshteh Barei, PhD, Malcolm Ross

505(b)(2) approvals, generics, improved therapeutics, innovation, new therapeutics entities, super generics

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0401.007

Abstract: Biopharmaceuticals are medicines whose active drug substance is made by living cells. Copies of these drugs, called biosimilars, are not identical to their reference drug and therefore specific regulatory requirements for registration apply. Whereas pharmaceutical quality evaluation requires a full dossier and a detailed comparative analysis to the reference drug, non-clinical and clinical requirements…

Author(s): Professor Paul J Declerck, PhD

biological, biopharmaceutical, biosimilar, interchangeability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0101.005

Author byline as per print journal: Christoph Baumgärtel1, MD; Brian Godman2,3,4, BSc, PhD; Rickard E Malmstrom5, MD, PhD; Morten Andersen6, MD, PhD; Mohammed Abuelkhair7, PharmD; Shajahan Abdu7, MD; Marion Bennie8,9, MSc; Iain Bishop9, BSc; Thomas Burkhardt10, MSc; Sahar Fahmy7, PhD; Jurij Furst11; Kristina Garuoliene12, MD, PhD; Harald Herholz13, MPH; Marija Kalaba14, MD, MHM; Hanna Koskinen15, PhD;…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc, et al.

clopidogrel, demand measures, generics, pricing

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2012.0102.016

Abstract: The role of sound science, discovery, and innovation in value-added pharmaceuticals has not been sufficiently considered. This term is mainly used to define improved version of generic drugs. The concept of value-added pharmaceuticals has been picked up by different groups of companies, some are aiming to increase willingness to pay for their modified pharmaceutical…

Author(s): Fereshteh Barei, PhD

competitive advantage, generic pharmaceuticals, innovation, value-added pharmaceuticals

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2016.0504.044