Payer and physician evidence and discount requirements for biosimilars in three Latin American countries

Study objectives: In Latin America, many governments have attempted to address biosimilar safety and efficacy concerns by developing abbreviated regulatory pathways to increase access while controlling quality. This study explores discount and evidence requirements for payers and physicians to provide access to and prescribe biosimilars in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Methods: We conducted targeted literature […]


Availability and procurement conditions of originator and generic medicines in hospitals – an exploratory study in five medium-sized European countries

Aim: To explore whether medicines used in hospitals in European countries are supplied as originators or generic medicines, and to investigate the procurement conditions, including the extent of discounts at which the medicines are provided. Methodology: In September 2009, we collected primary data for four commonly used medicines in 25 public hospitals in five medium-sized […]


Barriers to market uptake of biosimilars in the US

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 […]


Pricing of oral generic cancer medicines in 25 European countries; findings and implications

Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman1,2,3,4, BSc, PhD; Andrew Hill5; Professor Steven Simoens6, MSc, PhD; Amanj Kurdi1,7, BSc, PhD; Jolanta Gulbinovič8, MD, PhD; Antony P Martin2,9; Angela Timoney1,10; Dzintars Gotham11, MBBS; Janet Wale12; Tomasz Bochenek13, MD, PhD; Celia C Rothe13; Iris Hoxha14; Admir Malaj15; Christian Hierländer16; Robert Sauermann16, MD; Wouter Hamelinck17; Zornitza Mitkova18; […]


Ongoing initiatives to improve prescribing efficiency in China; statins as a case history

Author byline as per print journal: Wenjie Zeng, BSc, PhD; Houmei Xi, B Eng; Brian Godman, BSc, PhD; Alexander E Finlayson, MD, MRCP;  Rickard E Malmstrom, MD, PhD Introduction: Pharmaceutical expenditure rose by 16% per annum in China during the past decade, and now represents 46% of total healthcare expenditure. Initiatives to moderate growth include pricing […]


GnRH agonists and antagonists in prostate cancer

Author byline as per print journal: Robert Janknegt, PharmD, PhD, Niels Boone, PharmD, Frans Erdkamp, MD, PhD, Victor Zambon, MD Abstract: This manuscript describes the System of Objectified Judgement Analysis (SOJA) method applied to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists in prostate cancer. The following selection criteria were used: efficacy, safety, tolerability, dosage frequency, user-friendly […]


Biosimilars naming, label transparency and authority of choice – survey findings among European physicians

Introduction: A survey of the views of European physicians on familiarity of biosimilar medicines has demonstrated the need for distinguishable non-proprietary names to be given to all biologicals. Methods: The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines recruited 470 prescribers with clinical experience of biologicals in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK to answer questions relating […]


Perceptions of physicians from private medical centres in Malaysia about generic medicine usage: a qualitative study

Introduction: The healthcare sector is one of the most rapidly expanding and dynamic industries in the world. Pharmaceutical expenditure is now growing faster than other components of healthcare overheads. Globally, pressures to manage pharmaceutical spending have led to increased prescribing of generic drugs. Use of generic drugs in private medical centres in Malaysia, however, remains […]


Stability of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 compared to reference product after intravenous bag preparation, transport and storage at various temperatures, concentrations and stress conditions

Author byline as per print journal: Shon Crampton1, BA; Alla Polozova1, PhD; Darin Asbury2, BS; Alexis Lueras2, BS; Paul Breslin1, BS; Jane Hippenmeyer3, PharmD; Jennifer Litowski1, PhD; Monica Goss2, PhD Study objectives: To investigate the quality and in-use stability of diluted ABP 980 (a trastuzumab biosimilar) versus reference trastuzumab to mimic dosing in intravenous (IV) […]


Retrospective chart review: disrupted anaemia control in haemodialysis patients following the switch to an iron sucrose similar (ISS) after long-term treatment with the originator iron sucrose (IS)

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Jacques Rottembourg, MD; Corinne Emery, MSc; Alessandra Moglia, PhD Study objective: To describe and compare the haematological parameters and the anaemia medication use in haemodialysis patients who were switched from the originator iron sucrose (IS) to an iron sucrose similar (ISS). Methods: A retrospective observational single-centre study describing chronic […]


Alternative statistical strategies for biosimilar drug development

Introduction: Many regulatory authorities have published requirements for the approval of biosimilar medicinal products. However, there is no guidance on which quantitative standards should be used to define how similar a follow-on product must be to be considered biosimilar. Sample sizes for clinical biosimilar trials using traditional designs often exceed 500 patients. Several publications have […]


Establishment of reference standards in biosimilar studies

Author byline as per print journal: Aijing Zhang, PhD, Associate Professor Jung-Ying Tzeng, Professor Shein-Chung Chow, PhD Abstract: When an innovative biological product goes off-patent, biopharmaceutical or biotechnological companies may file an application for regulatory approval of biosimilar products. In practice, however, important information on the innovative (reference) product may not be available for assessment. Thus, […]