ASBM Presents at 66th WHO Naming Meeting

May 18, 2018

On May 1st, ASBM Executive Director, Michael Reilly, Esq. and Advisory Board Chair, Philip Schneider, MS, FASHP; presented before the 66th Consultation on International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for Pharmaceutical Substances in Geneva, Switzerland. This was the tenth INN Consultation at which ASBM has presented since 2013.  While the discussions in the Open Session at which ASBM presented are […]

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FDA Approves Tenth Biosimilar

May 15, 2018

On May 15th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its tenth biosimilar, Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) as a biosimilar to Epogen/Procrit (epoetin alfa) for the treatment of anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, or use of zidovudine in patients with HIV infection. Retacrit is also approved for use before and after surgery to reduce […]

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FDA Approves Tenth Biosimilar

May 15, 2018

On May 15th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its tenth biosimilar, Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) as a biosimilar to Epogen/Procrit (epoetin alfa) for the treatment of anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, or use of zidovudine in patients with HIV infection. Retacrit is also approved for use before and after surgery to reduce […]

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ASBM Hosts Forum on International Naming Harmonization

April 12, 2018

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 […]

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ASBM Hosts Forum on International Naming Harmonization

April 12, 2018

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 […]

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93% of Americans are Now Covered by Biosimilar Substitution Laws

April 1, 2018

Philip J. Schneider, MS FASHP ASBM Advisory Board Chair This week, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed bills updating pharmacy regulations in their respective states. The new laws permit pharmacists to substitute interchangeable biosimilars in place of an originator biologic medicine when they are approved by the FDA. The signing […]

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ASBM Submits Comments to Health Canada on Naming

February 10, 2018

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 […]

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Naming Tool for Biologic Medicines Released; Ensures Compliance with FDA, WHO Standards

February 8, 2018

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 […]

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Alex Azar Sworn in as HHS Secretary 

February 2, 2018

On January 29th, Alex Azar was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by Vice President Mike Pence following remarks by President Trump. ASBM Executive Director Michael Reilly, who served as Mr. Azar’s Deputy from 2005-2007, was in attendance.   Mr. Azar previously spent four years as the Department’s […]

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Alex Azar Sworn in as HHS Secretary 

February 2, 2018

On January 29th, Alex Azar was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by Vice President Mike Pence following remarks by President Trump. ASBM Executive Director Michael Reilly, who served as Mr. Azar’s Deputy from 2005-2007, was in attendance.   Mr. Azar previously spent four years as the Department’s […]

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