Key factors for successful uptake of biosimilars: Europe and the US

Introduction: Biosimilars were first introduced in Europe in 2006 and then in the US in 2015. An online webinar on the successful uptake in Europe and the US was held to discuss measures taken for improving biosimilar uptake, and trends in uptake. Methods: The webinar was held by the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) […]


Views of physicians and patients with chronic conditions on generic medicines in Greece after the introduction of measures to promote their consumption: findings from a qualitative study

Author byline as per print journal: Eleftheria Karampli, MSc; Estathia Triga, MSc; Vasiliki Tsiantou, MSc; Kostas Athanasakis, PhD; John Kyriopoulos, PhD Introduction/Study objectives: Generic medicines uptake is widely acknowledged as a key pharmaceutical policy measure towards cost containment and rational resource allocation. In Greece, due to the persistently low penetration of generics in the pharmaceutical […]


Prescribing practices for biosimilars: questionnaire survey findings from physicians in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico

Author byline as per print journal: Michael S Reilly, Esq; Harry L Gewanter, MD, FAAP, FACR Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the regulation of biosimilars form the basis of guidelines used across most of Latin America. However, the pace at which the region moves toward reaching its potential of having safe and effective biosimilars […]


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 […]


How do regional sickness funds encourage more rational use of medicines, including the increase of generic uptake? A case study from Austria

Objective: To analyse similarities and differences between activities carried out by Austrian sickness funds to encourage more rational use of medicines, including increasing generics uptake. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with pharmacoeconomic unit staff of four regional sickness funds in Austria. Results: Sickness funds include a variety of activities. The main target group is prescribers, who are […]