Two Studies Report on Biosimilar Rituximab's Utility in Treating Pemphigus
June 15th 2019Given the cost of the brand-name drug, there is interest among providers, particularly in contexts with limited resources, in using a biosimilar rituximab to treat pemphigus, and recently, 2 studies reported on the use of biosimilar rituximab in treating this disease.
Infliximab Did Not Result in Lower Rate of Hospitalizations, Surgeries in Canadian Study
June 13th 2019The introduction of infliximab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) did not result in lower population rates of hospitalizations or intestinal surgeries among patients living with IBD in Ontario, Canada, according to a study published Thursday.
Brand-Name Rituximab Will Get FDA Priority Review for a New Pediatric Indication
June 13th 2019Drug maker Genentech, developer of the brand-name rituximab, Rituxan, has announced that the FDA has accepted a supplemental Biologics License Application for the drug’s first proposed pediatric indication: 2 rare forms of vasculitis.
Should the FDA Disclose New Filings for Drugs, Biologics, and Biosimilars?
June 11th 2019This month, a research letter appearing in JAMA Internal Medicine raises the questions of whether regulatory filings for new products are already made publicly available despite the FDA’s stance of treating these applications as confidential and whether there is room for increased transparency from the agency.
Systematic Literature Review Calls Economic Impact of Switching to Biosimilars "Uncertain"
June 10th 2019“This systematic literature review found that the overall economic impact of biosimilar [nonmedical switching] remains uncertain,” write the investigators. More real-world studies will be necessary, they indicate, to quantify the full economic impact of nonmedical switches over the short and long term.
At ADA, Sanofi Reveals Data on Proposed Insulin Aspart Biosimilar, SAR341402
June 10th 2019Insulin maker Sanofi is currently developing a proposed biosimilar of insulin aspart (NovoLog), made by Novo Nordisk. In 3 late-breaking poster presentations at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 79th Scientific Sessions, held June 7-11, 2019, in San Francisco, California, researchers presented data on the biosimilar, SAR341402.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Curb Use of Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage
June 7th 2019A bill supported by a coalition of physician specialty organizations was introduced in the House of Representatives this week to alleviate the growing use of prior authorizations in Medicare Advantage. At the same time, the group released survey results saying that PAs are increasing physician burdens and leading to delays in patient care.
Insulins, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Top Rising Drug Prices Despite Competition
June 6th 2019Competition has done little to keep the lid on rising pharmaceutical prices for brand-name products, especially insulins and anti-inflammatory drugs, and costs will continue to rise unless action is taken, according to a recent paper written by researchers from the Scripps Research Translational Institute.
Could Etanercept, Adalimumab Have Potential to Fight Alzheimer Disease? Critics Say We'll Never Know
June 5th 2019Last year, when noted researcher James Allison, PhD, won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work that led to the development of groundbreaking oncology treatment, he took the occasion as an opportunity to decry what he said was a death of basic scientific research, as development for new pharmaceuticals is usually tied to closely guarded company data.
NHS Publishes Update on the Use of Biosimilars
June 5th 2019The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has published a new document for clinical and nonclinical stakeholders about the role of biosimilars in the healthcare system. The guidance document, says the NHS, is intended to support the safe, effective, consistent use of biologics, including biosimilars, to the benefit of patients.
MS Experts in Latin America Publish Recommendations for Biosimilar Policies
June 3rd 2019With patents on reference products that treat multiple sclerosis (MS) set to expire soon in the region, a panel of experts in Latin America recently published a set of recommendations regarding the efficacy, safety, and quality of biosimilars in these countries.
Bevacizumab Could Help Patients With NSCLC Who Cannot Receive PD-1 Inhibitors
June 2nd 2019“Our results suggest that in patients with a contraindication to immunotherapy, such as connective tissue, rheumatologic, or interstitial lung disease, bevacizumab may be a reasonable alternative, instead of pembrolizumab, to add to carboplatin-pemetrexed,” said lead author, Stephen J. Bagley, MD, MSCE, assistant professor of hematology-oncology at Abramson Cancer Center, in a statement.
EMA to Review Prestige BioPharma's Proposed Trastuzumab Biosimilar
June 1st 2019Prestige BioPharma announced this week that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted for review its Marketing Authorization Application for a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar, HD201. Prestige hopes to eventually sell the product under the name Tuznue.
Biosimilar Policy Roundup: May 2019
May 31st 2019In May 2019 policy news, bills touching on various aspects of biosimilars progressed through Congress, and HHS finalized 2 proposals affecting drug pricing. One state capped monthly insulin prices, while in Canada, one province will move patients taking reference biologics for rheumatological diseases and diabetes to biosimilars within 6 months.