On July 20th, 2022 ASBM and the Generics and Biosimilars Initiative (GaBI) hosted a 2-hour webinar entitled “Non-Medical Switching of Biologicals and Biosimilars: Canada, Europe, and the US” The event offered an overview of non-medical switching practices in different regions and focused on the importance of safeguarding the patient-physician relationship.
Academic clinicians with specialties in oncology and ophthalmology, patient advocates, policymakers and regulatory experts from Canada and the US shared their experience and knowledge. Topics discussed included non-medical switching and principles and guidance on interchangeability of biologicals/biosimilars, highlighting the specific concerns. The speakers also emphasized the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach protecting the physician–patient relationship in the practice of non-medical switching of biologicals/biosimilars.
Topics discussed included:
Overview of biologicals/biosimilars switching policies in Europe and the US
Michael S Reilly, Esq, Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines, USACurrent state of non-medical switching policies of biologicals/biosimilars in Canada
US physicians’ concerns/experience of non-medical switching of biologicals/biosimilars
Ralph McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, Pennsylvania Society of Gastroenterology/Digestive Disease National Coalition, USAInterchangeability of biologicals/biosimilars: US perspective
Leah Christl, PhD, Amgen, USAPatients’ perspective and expectations of non-medical switching of biologicals/biosimilars – Gail Attara, Gastrointestinal Society, Canada
Canadian non-medical switching policies – implications for physicians and patients
Philip Schneider, MS FASHP FFIP
Panel discussion and Q&A
- Moderator: Steven Stranne, MD, JD (USA)
- Michael S Reilly, Esq, (USA)
- Ralph McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF (USA)
- Leah Christl, PhD (USA)
- Philip Schneider, MS FASHP FFIP
- Jaymee Maaghop, Gastrointestinal Society (Canada)
- Urvashi Rathod, International Federation on Ageing (Canada)
