Health Canada’s perspective on the clinical development of biosimilars and related scientific and regulatory challenges

Abstract: Biologicals have offered a new avenue for targeting therapy to treat life-threatening and chronic diseases. The recent or pending patent expirations of many successful biologicals have permitted the marketing of ‘copy’ versions of the off-patent biologicals, generally known as biosimilars (subsequent entry biologics in Canada). The reduced clinical package and the potential for extrapolation […]


Regulation of biologicals in Malaysia

Abstract: The regulatory oversight of biologicals in Malaysia is established by the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB), Ministry of Health. At the agency, the Section on Biotechnology Product Registration exercises the marketing authorization function as the National Regulatory Authority (NRA). This paper provides an overview of the organization, regulatory expectations and current practices of the […]


First GCC stakeholder meeting on approval process, interchangeability/substitution and safety of biosimilars 2017 – Report

Author byline as per print journal: Gianluca Trifirò, MD, PhD; Meteb Al-Foheidi, MD, FRCPC; Ali M Alhomaidan, PhD; Ahmed H Aljedai, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, FCCP, FAST; Musaed Abdullah Alkholief, PhD; Mohammad A Alsenaidy, MSc, PhD; Aws Alshamsan, BPharm, RPh, PhD; Tore Kristian Kvien, MD, PhD Introduction: A meeting was organized by the Generics and Biosimilars […]


1st ASEAN overview workshop on GMP for biologicals/biosimilars 2018 – Report

Introduction: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Overview Workshop on GMP for Biologicals and Biosimilars was co-organized with the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI). This meeting was intended to improve the understanding of the good manufacture practice (GMP) inspection framework for biological (and biosimilar) drugs among ASEAN countries. Methods: The workshop was held on […]


How to realize the potential of off-patent biologicals and biosimilars in Europe? Guidance to policymakers

Author byline as per print journal: Steven Simoens, PhD; Claude Le Pen, PhD; Niels Boone, PharmD; Ferdinand Breedveld, MD, PhD; Antonella Celano; Antonio Llombart-Cussac, MD, PhD; Frank Jorgensen, MPharm, MM; Andras Süle, PhD; Ad A van Bodegraven, MD, PhD; Rene Westhovens, MD, PhD; Jo De Cock Introduction/Objectives: This manuscript aims to provide guidance to policymakers with […]


Legislative efforts to limit prescription information sharing between patients and healthcare providers represent a serious threat to the health and safety of the American nation

Abstract: Legislation in support of pharmacist notification to patients and providers of substitution of an interchangeable biologic for the originator biologic was recently vetoed in California. Automatic substitution of approved biosimilars without notifying the patient and physician/healthcare provider circumvents important pharmacovigilance. Submitted: 21 October 2013; Revised: 22 October 2013; Accepted: 25 October 2013; Published online […]


Maximizing quality in the manufacture of biologicals

Abstract: Biological product quality is susceptible to unexpected manufacturing issues, and the resulting variation may impact the safety or efficacy of these medicines and increase risks to patients. These risks can be managed more effectively by manufacturers’ adoption of the culture and practices of high reliability organizations and by their sharing of quality risk management […]


US state legislation on biosimilars substitution

Abstract: Despite the fact that US Food and Drug Administration has yet to receive a biosimilars application, many US states have been considering legislation which could potentially limit biosimilars substitution. The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI Act) of 2009 was signed into law on 23 March 2010 by President Barack Obama. The BPCI […]


The future of biological therapy: a pathway forward for biosimilars

Author byline as per print journal: Richard O Dolinar, MD; Michael S Reilly Abstract  Biologicals are advanced prescription drugs to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases. In November 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began consultation with patient groups, physicians and industry on how to approve the first copies […]


Pharmacovigilance of biosimilars: challenges and possible solutions

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 […]


Saving money in the European healthcare systems with biosimilars

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 […]


Generics substitution in primary care: summary of the Dutch community pharmacies guidelines

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 […]