Sandoz Study Supports Expanded Use of Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim
May 5th 2020Expanding access to biosimilar pegfilgrastim (Ziextenzo) for patients at intermediate risk of febrile neutropenia and converting patients at high risk who are on the reference product (Neulasta) could save millions in healthcare costs, according to new study results.
Biosimilar Promotion Should Be Targeted, Constructive
April 9th 2020Biosimilar companies may do themselves a disservice if they produce education materials that don’t address the needs of clinicians or blatently self-promote, according to Kathy Oubre, chief operations officer at Pontchartrain Cancer Center of Louisiana.
Employers Are in Good Position to Promote Biosimilars
April 7th 2020Because they will see greater savings, employers have greater incentive to embrace biosimilars than plan sponsors in the overall insured population. Employers can be advocates for policy changes that promote biosimilars by contacting legislators; they can organize email campaigns to reach lawmakers more easily.
FDA Urges Manufacturers to Promptly Report Supply Problems Amid COVID-19 Challenges
April 2nd 2020Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the FDA issued guidance stressing the importance that manufacturers notify it of discontinuations and manufacturing interruptions so that the agency can implement contingency measures.
Biosimilar Regulatory Roundup: March 2020
April 1st 2020During March, the FDA worked to mitigate drug quality issues potentially arising from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, established a new regulatory pathway for certain biologics, and launched a high-profile effort with the Federal Trade Commission to halt anticompetitive practices.
Physicians Urge FDA to Waive Interchangeability Standard for Insulin Biosimilars
March 30th 2020Two doctors call for interchangeability requirements for biologics to be waived for insulin products under the new regulatory pathway under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) of 2009.
Schwartzberg: Biosimilars Are Complex But Still Cheaper to Produce
March 27th 2020Because biosimilars piggyback on much of the clinical work already done on the drugs they imitate, they can be brought to market for less money, and therein lies the savings potential for patients and health systems, according to Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD.
Expert Panel Discusses Systemic, Policy Barriers to US Biosimilar Uptake
March 25th 2020“We're always under the tyranny of the 10-year budgetary window that the CBO [Congressional Budget Office] models under,” said Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD, R-Texas, in a discussion of the limitations of the US system for bringing biosimilars to the market.
FDA Officials Predict More Insulins Under New Biologics Pathway
March 24th 2020Competition in the insulin market is expected to rise because insulin products will be approved under the regulatory pathway for biological products now that the transition period added to the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) of 2009 has officially ended, the FDA said.
Sandoz Executive Sees Positive Signs for Biosimilar Uptake
March 20th 2020Sheila Frame, US head of Marketing and Market Access and Patient Services for Sandoz, discusses her company’s growing portfolio, the pipeline of biosimilar drugs, and the need for a more robust biosimilars market in the United States.
Amid COVID-19 Fears, Expert Panel Highlights Need for Biosimilars in the United States
March 19th 2020As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unfolded and disrupted pharmaceutical production, a panel of experts advocated for better education and legislation surrounding biosimilars in order to improve uptake in the United States and create affordable alternatives for patients.