25/02/2018
Over the last 20 years, India has been a leader in the manufacture of high quality generic medicines. Many Indian companies manufacture generic medicines for export to other poor countries and had therefore made treatments affordable for many infections including HIV. Even in the West where innovator drugs (original research molecules) are manufactured they are often out of reach for those without insurance or for people who are in the early stages of diseases. Many organisations have done studies to show that generics, also known as biosimilars, are equally potent and effective as the innovator molecules. A recent publication by the American College of Rheumatology, for the very first time encourages the use of bio-similar drugs for Rheumatic conditions.
We at DMT can arrange for the pick-up of high quality, generic medicines with a Specialist’s prescription at Chennai. We already have many satisfied clients who have come to Chennai only to procure medicines for Hepatitis C.
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American College of Rheumatology Recommends Biosimilar Use in New White Paper
February 07, 2018
ATLANTA – The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has published a new white paper "The Science Behind Biosimilars – Entering a New Era of Biologic Therapy," providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific, clinical, economic and prescribing issues pertaining to biosimilar use, including efficacy, competition and drug pricing. The paper encourages providers to incorporate these drugs into the treatment plans of patients with rheumatic diseases where appropriate.
The FDA has approved nine biosimilar medications, six of which are for treatment of rheumatic diseases, since the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCI Act) of 2009 was passed in an effort to reduce costs and increase patient’s access to biologics. As biosimilar usage increases, an extensive discussion about issues regarding immunogenicity, switching, and patient access has emerged. New recommendations for clinical practice have been made, based on continued evaluation from regulatory agencies and successful administration of biosimilars in Europe. Over the past few years, the ACR has voiced its support for FDA approval measures to ensure the safety of biosimilars as they become available in the U.S. market, including a proposal to require manufacturers to use robust switching studies and support for distinct naming conventions and billing codes to make post-marketing surveillance easier.
“The ACR has closely followed the development, evaluation, and approval processes for biosimilar agents, in addition to observing their successful use in other countries,” said Dr. S. Louis Bridges, Jr., MD, PhD, chair of the ACR’s Committee on Research and lead author of this paper. “We are now confident that providers can recommend biosimilars as a safe, effective, and affordable option to patients, where appropriate.”
Authors note the only anticipated advantage of a biosimilar over its reference product is lower cost, given that the two drugs should be therapeutically equivalent, and that biosimilars could play a crucial role in fostering competition that keeps high drug prices at bay. However, the degree to which availability of biosimilars in the U.S. will drive down the cost of biologic therapy remains to be seen. Obstacles for patient accessibility include drug copayments for biosimilars that are nearly as expensive as those for the reference drug. Authors also anticipate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will play a key role, explaining that the lower price of biosimilars could be a negative for their current business model.
“There are a variety of market-based and legislative factors that contribute to the accessibility of biosimilars,” said Dr. Angus Worthing, MD, chair of the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee and co-author of this paper. “While we have yet to see broad cost-saving benefits in the U.S. marketplace, efforts from health care advocates, legislative measures, and the introduction of additional biosimilar options could help relieve the financial burden of patients using these therapies.”
Authors of the paper are hopeful that continued use of biosimilars will improve patient access to biologic drugs, ensuring high quality health care at a lower cost. To maintain exceptional standards of clinical practice, rheumatologists are urged to maintain a working knowledge of regulatory guidelines and policies, currently approved medications, and evolving research on biosimilars.
