Trade groups and consumer advocates are working to fight the rising tide of protectionism generated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) is calling for dedicated air and sea channels to keep pipelines of essential medicines open between borders.
Aware that travel restrictions and border controls imposed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pose a threat to drug supply, the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) is working to establish priority designations for medicines in air and sea cargo transport.
The move is among diverse attempts by private and public institutions recently to secure supplies of drugs and pharmaceuticals amid the dizzying pace of events. “The situation is constantly and rapidly changing,” said Suzette Kox, secretary general of IGBA, in an interview with The Center for Biosimilars®.
In recent days, many have spoken out against export curbs and other protectionist measures that threaten to upset the balance of international healthcare. Some actions by governments have involved instating emergency powers to bypass patent exclusivity protections where necessary.
On March 25, the Canadian legislature passed an emergency bill that would allow that country to circumvent patent laws to ensure adequate supplies that are needed to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
And White House administration trade advisor Peter Navarro recently stated publicly that the administration was planning to order federal agencies to prioritize purchasing US-made drugs and medical supplies.
IGBA Cautions About Export Restrictions
The IGBA contends that any restrictions on the export of pharmaceutical products are counterproductive. “We will work toward keeping global markets open, and our industries are focusing right now on meeting the increasing demands. We also see encouraging signs of international commitments, collaboration, and coordination to support the movement of medicines,” Kox said.
The group today called for governments gobally to establish priority designation for medicines at custom controls and for cargo and freight. The priority would include goods needed to manufacture these agents.
“There is an absolute urgency to facilitate and speed up the movement of essential products at all levels, in particular at customs control, as well as systematically reserve cargo capacity for those products in air/sea cargo, which are vital partners in delivering much-needed essential goods,” the group said in a release.
Ranibizumab Biosimilar Shows Reduced Efficacy vs Aflibercept in nAMD
April 3rd 2025The ranibizumab biosimilar Ongavia exhibited significantly less improvement in visual acuity and retinal thickness compared with aflibercept (Eylea) in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), highlighting a potential trade-off between economic savings and clinical efficacy.
How AI Can Help Address Cost-Related Nonadherence to Biologic, Biosimilar Treatment
March 9th 2025Despite saving billions, biosimilars still account for only a small share of the biologics market—what's standing in the way of broader adoption and how can artificial intelligence (AI) help change that?
Biosimilars Gastroenterology Roundup: March 2025
April 1st 2025As the biosimilar industry celebrates a decade of growth, the market continues to evolve with expanded treatment options, cost savings, and a flurry of new competitors—yet regulatory challenges, market dynamics, and patient accessibility remain key hurdles to unlocking its full potential.
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.
PBM Evolution Toward Value-Based Care Shifts to Transparent Pharmacy Pricing
March 30th 2025Josh Canavan, PharmD, RazorMetrics, and Chris O'Dell, Turquoise Health, predict pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will evolve toward value-based care, mirroring the broader shift toward open-cost structures.
FDA Approves Another Pair of Denosumab Biosimilars, Conexxence and Bomyntra
March 27th 2025The FDA approved another set of denosumab biosimilars, Conexxence/Bomyntra (denosumab-bnht), expanding treatment options for osteoporosis, bone metastases, and other bone-related conditions, amidst a flurry of similar approvals and legal settlements.