Biosimilars
Insurer formularies increase complexity for healthcare providers
An assessment of insurer formularies for pegfilgrastim in the US suggests that payer-imposed preferences increase complexity when pharmacists and physicians are choosing which version of a drug to stock and administer.
A positive outlook for the US biosimilars market
The US is keeping pace with the European pioneers of biosimilars approvals, reveals an article published in GaBI Journal [1].
LG Chem gains approval for adalimumab biosimilar in Japan
Japan-based LG Chem (formerly LG Life Sciences) announced on 23 March 2021 in a public filing that it had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg syringe, and 40 mg pen formulations of its adalimumab biosimilar, Adalimumab BS MA (LBAL).
Rheumatoid arthritis treatments in Australia
Analysis of the treatment landscape for rheumatoid arthritis in Australia shows that AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) and Pfizer’s Enbrel (etanercept) together make up half of total sales.
Expanding access to trastuzumab biological treatments
The anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) monoclonal antibody trastuzumab is indicated for treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC), metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and metastatic gastric cancer (MGC). Often used in conjunction with chemotherapy, trastuzumab was originally approved as an intravenous (IV) formulation. Subcutaneous (SC) formulations were more recently approved for HER2-positive breast cancer in 2013 (Europe) [1] and 2019 (US) [2].
CADTH summarizes evidence on switching to etanercept biosimilars
The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA), known today as CADTH, is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for providing Canada’s healthcare decision-makers with objective evidence to help make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs and medical devices in our healthcare system.
EC approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Alymsys/Oyavas
The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Alymsys/Oyavas (MB02), on 31 March 2021. The biosimilar is developed by mAbxience, a biopharmaceutical firm with offices in Spain, Argentina and Switzerland.
Relieving the economic burden on EU healthcare budgets: spotlight on IV trastuzumab and rituximab biosimilars
In an ageing society with increasing medical need, biological treatments have played a key role in reforming the management of cancer, autoimmune and certain preventable diseases. Yet, biological treatments impose a significant financial burden on the healthcare system and healthcare payers.
Biosimilars of enoxaparin sodium
Enoxaparin sodium is an anticoagulant medication (blood thinner). It is used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) including during pregnancy and following certain types of surgery. It is also used in those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart attacks.
Characteristics associated with biosimilar use in Medicare recipients
What patient, physician and practice characteristics are associated with biosimilar usage for the biologicals filgrastim and infliximab was a question asked by researchers from the US [1].
