News


Quality, similarity and safety of biosimilars

Published on 2013/08/19

An abbreviated pathway for the approval of biosimilars was implemented in the EU in 2005. Despite biosimilars being available in Europe for more than seven years, physicians still have concerns about ...

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Amgen’s biosimilar plans

Published on 2013/08/16

Amgen was one of the first companies to recognize the potential of modern biotechnology and this has made it the world’s largest independent biotechnology firm. As of 9 August 2011, Amgen had twelv...

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Recall of anaemia drug highlights safety issues of NBCDs

Published on 2013/08/14

US-based biotech firm Affymax announced on 24 February 2013 that it is recalling all lots of its red blood cell-stimulating medicine Omontys (peginesatide).  This could have broader implications on h...

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Research on biosimilars in anaemia and diabetes

Published on 2013/08/12

Period: September to December 2012  The use of biological medicines has been life-changing for many patients suffering with anaemia and diabetes. With the expiration of patents on these biologicals ...

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Huge differences in prescription drug prices in Ireland

Published on 2013/08/09

A survey carried out by Ireland’s National Consumer Agency (NCA) has found that the price of many commonly prescribed medicines varies widely across Ireland. The nationwide survey of pharmacists, w...

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US FTC sides with generics makers over drug samples

Published on 2013/08/07

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has come out in support of generics companies trying to get hold of brand-name drugs in order to make generic versions. Generics companies Actavis, Apotex and Ro...

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Biosimilar G-CSF prescribed more than originator

Published on 2013/08/05

Sandoz, the generic drug division of Swiss drug giant Novartis, announced on 22 July 2013 that its biosimilar granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) Zarzio (filgrastim) has overtaken the origin...

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Generics drugmakers should be held responsible for injuries

Published on 2013/07/26

In the long saga of generics pre-emption, The New York Times is adding its opinion to the argument of whether generics makers are liable for injuries caused by their products. The newspaper believes...

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Use of generic medicines in Ireland

Published on 2013/07/24

Ireland’s Department of Health and Children intends to introduce a system of reference pricing and generics substitution in Ireland, which will greatly increase the utilization of generics and gener...

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Why choose generic medicines initiative launched in Australia

Published on 2013/07/22

The Australian Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia announced on 22 March 2013 the launch of a joint initiative: Why choose generic medicines? Although th...

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US state biosimilar substitution bill becomes law

Published on 2013/07/19

On 21 March 2013, the US State of Virginia signed into law a legislation allowing for the substitution of biosimilars, but with many restrictions, making it the first US state to introduce such legisl...

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Biosimilars in rheumatology

Published on 2013/07/17

Patents on key biological medicines used in rheumatology will expire soon. The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) finalized guidelines on biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) came into effect ...

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