November 1, 2018
newsletter | October 2018 issue 70 Who We Are The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines is an organization composed of patients, physicians, pharmacists, biotechnology companies that develop innovative and biosimilar medicines, and others who are working together to ensure that patient safety is at the forefront of the biosimilars policy discussion. It […]
October 5, 2018
Three physicians and two patient advocates discuss their concerns with the non-medical switching of biologic medicines by third parties such as insurers or pharmacy-benefit managers (PBMs). ASBM’s Chair, Madelaine Feldman, MD FACR is joined by ASBM’s Immediate Past Chair, Harry Gewanter, MD MACR; and ASBM’s Founding Chair, Richard Dolinar, MD; to discuss physician perspectives on NMS. The patient […]
September 27, 2018
On September 21st, 2018 ASBM submitted comments to FDA as a follow-up to September 4th Public Hearing “Facilitating Competition and Innovation in the Biological Products Marketplace”, at which three ASBM Chairs, and several Steering Committee members testified. The purpose of the hearing and the request for comments, is to seek input on how the FDA can achieve the following goals: […]
September 14, 2018
The Biosimilar Working Group, a Canadian-based coalition of non-profit organizations, registered health charities, and health care advocacy coalitions, launched its website this month. The launch was announced in conjunction with the Group’s September meeting in Toronto, ON. The Biosimilars Working Group is dedicated to ensuring that good outcomes for patients are at the centre of health […]
September 13, 2018
On September 4th, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a hearing on the Biosimilar Action Plan announced by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in July. The action plan addressed 4 key areas intended to improve biosimilar competition: Improving the efficiency of the biosimilar and interchangeable product development and approval process Maximizing scientific and regulatory clarity […]
July 24, 2018
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 […]
July 24, 2018
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 […]
June 30, 2018
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 […]
June 19, 2018
On May 23rd-24th, ASBM attended the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations 8th Global Patients Congress. The meeting was attended by approximately 80 different patient groups and 130 participants from around the globe which convene on a number of health topics—including sessions on how best to engage regulators worldwide and a 101 on biosimilar medicines. ASBM also […]
June 12, 2018
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 […]
