On July 12, in Washington, DC the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) hosted the second in a series of meetings to discuss the global harmonization of nomenclature for biologic and biosimilar medicines. Representatives from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and the American […]
On April 11th in Washington DC, nearly 25 individuals gathered to be part of an exclusive roundtable to discuss a global approach for naming harmonization of biologic medicines. Representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, physician and pharmacist associations, and patient advocacy organizations convened to explore the feasibility of this endeavor and […]
For Immediate Release Naming Tool for Biologic Medicines Released; Ensures Compliance with FDA, WHO Standards Arlington, VA (February 8, 2018) The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) announced today that it has developed a web-based tool for the naming of biologic medicines to quickly ensure compliance with naming standards set forth by the FDA […]
On January 18, 2018, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) posted an online questionnaire to seek input from healthcare providers, consumers, and other interested and affected stakeholders on different approaches to the naming of biologic drugs, including biosimilars, in Canada. ASBM submitted comments on February 9th advocating the use of 4-letter suffixes, an approach favored […]
On January 24th, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released the response to its recent stakeholder consultation on biosimilar naming. The regulator sought input on whether or not it should use distinguishing suffixes for biologics and biosimilars to improve product identification and adverse event reporting. A suffix approach is currently supported by the World […]
On January 11th, the FDA released its 2018 Strategic Policy Roadmap, which outlines its key priorities for 2018, including increasing access to new medicines. “We know that the cost of product development can impact how such products are priced, and can be a factor in limiting patients’ ability to get timely access to beneficial new treatments […]
On January 4th, the Roanoke Times published an op-ed by Stacie Phan, Executive Director of the Biosimilars Forum, discussing the potential cost savings of biosimilars, especially to the Medicare program: “…a recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to change a billing policy that jeopardized the long-term stability of the biosimilars market could also help pave the way for […]
For Immediate Release ~National survey reveals physician attitudes on key policy issues related to originator biologics and biosimilars ~ Ottawa, Ontario (November 22, 2017) A new national survey conducted by the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) found that Canadian physicians overwhelmingly support distinguishable names for all biologics, including biosimilars. Survey results also […]
On July 18th, ASBM Advisory Chair Philip Schneider gave a presentation to the Malta Pharmaceutical Association entitled “Biologic nomenclature: Implementation of an internationally harmonized system”. The presentation offered an overview of the state of international harmonization in the area of biologic naming, including examination of the naming policies of major national regulators and views of health professionals […]
On July 20th, the FDA approved Pfizer’s Nivestym, (filgrastim-aafi,) the second biosimilar to Neupogen (filgrastim), manufactured by Amgen. The drug is approved for the same indications as the reference product, including decreasing the incidence of infection due to neutropenia. Specifically, the drug has been approved to treat side effects from cancer treatment for patients: With acute […]
On July 12, in Washington, DC the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) hosted the second in a series of meetings to discuss the global harmonization of nomenclature for biologic and biosimilar medicines. Representatives from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and the American […]
From June 25-27, ASBM exhibited at the 2018 Drug Industry Association Conference (DIA 2018). ASBM was represented at DIA by Chair Madelaine Feldman MD, FACR and Advisory Board Chair Philip Schneider, MS FASHP. In addition to meeting attendees at ASBM’s booth, Drs. Feldman and Schneider attended several panels related to biosimilar policy, and engaged participants […]
On May 24th, ASBM presented at the World Biosimilars Congress USA 2018 in San Diego, CA. The theme of the two-day conference was “Helping the global industry bring biosimilars to the US” and it drew more than 100 attendees including representatives from the industry, health care professionals, and payers. ASBM Advisory Chair Philip Schneider gave a presentation […]
On June 4th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its eleventh biosimilar, Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb). This is the first biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and is prescribed to decrease the chance of infection as suggested by febrile neutropenia (fever, often with other signs of infection, associated with an abnormally low number of infection-fighting white blood cells), […]
Biologic medicines are used to treat millions of patients with serious illnesses like cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis. The patents for many biologic therapies are expiring over the coming years, and biosimilars will be entering the marketplace. Regulatory authorities around the world have put policies in place to ensure that biosimilars have been appropriately tested, and are safe and effective for patients.
The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines is an organization composed of diverse healthcare groups and individuals—from patients to physicians, biotechnology companies that develop innovative and biosimilar medicines and others who are working together to ensure patient safety is at the forefront of the biosimilars policy discussion.
