The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Bioindustry Association (BIA) have jointly developed materials on biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, to enhance prescribers’ and other stakeholders’ understanding of these medicines and answer any frequently asked questions.
The new materials provide an interesting overview on this ever growing market at a significant time, with biological medicines - which include biosimilar medicines - now amongst today’s most important medicines. Interesting facts in the materials include:
- It is predicted that by 2016 seven of the top 10 medicines worldwide will be biologics.
- Since 2006, over 18 branded biosimilar medicines have been granted marketing authorisations in the EU.
- The introduction of biological medicines in the early 1980s revolutionised treatment for some life-threatening and rare diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, blood conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders.
- The number of biosimilar medicines available in the UK is expected to increase with biosimilar medicines entering a much wider range of therapy areas, including rheumatoid arthritis, oncology and diabetes.
- It is recommended by the ABPI and the BIA that all biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, should be prescribed by brand name and not by International Non-Proprietary Names (INN), to ensure accurate reporting and analysis of suspected adverse reactions.
- Automatic substitution is not appropriate for biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines. These must only be substituted under the direct supervision and with the consent of the treating physician.
“A number of ABPI and BIA members are developing biosimilar medicines and we are therefore building relationships with key stakeholders at a national and local level in order to improve understanding of biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines. These new informative materials will assist in ensuring that these medicines are well understood and used appropriately for the benefit of all eligible NHS patients.”
Commenting, BIA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Bates, said:
“Biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, have complex molecular structures and unique manufacturing processes. The development of biosimilar medicines involves many technical challenges and requires distinct regulatory pathways from those applied to generic medicines. For this reason the BIA has been actively engaged in the development of EMA guidelines on biosimilar medicines, including biosimilar monoclonal antibodies, over a period of many years, highlighting the issues to be addressed and ensuring that patient safety remains paramount. With much support from our members and working in partnership with colleagues at the ABPI, we have developed these educational materials to reflect the latest developments in this evolving field. We hope that they will assist healthcare professionals in particular to be aware of, and better understand the challenges of, the introduction of biosimilar medicines to the NHS.”
The materials can be downloaded from the ABPI and the BIA websites.
About the BIA
Founded 25 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BIA is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience. Members include emerging and more established bioscience companies; pharmaceutical companies; academic, research and philanthropic organisations; and service providers to the bioscience sector. The BIA represents the interests of its members to a broad section of stakeholders, from government and regulators to patient groups and the media. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives.
For further information, please go to www.bioindustry.org and twitter.com/BIA_UK.
About the ABPI
The ABPI represents innovative research-based biopharmaceutical companies, large, medium and small, leading an exciting new era of biosciences in the UK.
Our industry, a major contributor to the economy of the UK, brings life-saving and life-enhancing medicines to patients. Our members supply 90 per cent of all medicines used by the NHS, and are researching and developing over two-thirds of the current medicines pipeline, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of helping patients prevent and overcome diseases.
The ABPI is recognised by government as the industry body negotiating on behalf of the branded pharmaceutical industry, for statutory consultation requirements including the pricing scheme for medicines in the UK.
ABPI Press Office
ABPI Press Office
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7747 1410 or +44 (0) 20 7747 1441
Mobile: +44 (0) 7850 312064 or +44 (0) 7808 641811
Email: pressoffice@abpi.org.uk
BIA Press Office
Zoe Freeman
Public Affairs and Communications Executive, BioIndustry Association
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7630 2187
Email: zfreeman@bioindustry.org
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