WASHINGTON, DC (June 12, 2017) –The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in Sandoz Inc. v. Amgen Inc. that will help speed patient access to biosimilar versions of expensive brand-name biologic medicines. In a unanimous ruling, the Court overturned a lower court decision that had effectively extended the brand manufacturer’s opportunity for monopoly protection. The Biosimilars Council, a division of the AAM, filed an amicus brief in the case consistent with today’s ruling, recognizing delaying competition would cost patients, insurers, and taxpayers billions of dollars in savings.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today is a huge victory for American patients and consumers,” said AAM President and CEO Chip Davis. “This ruling will help provide faster access to lower-cost biosimilar medicines for millions of patients facing diseases such as several forms of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and other life-threatening conditions.”
“Without biosimilar competition, the US consumer pays higher prices for life saving medicine. In this case, the Supreme Court said 12 years was long enough for biologics to have a monopoly, and the ruling likely will spur more manufacturers to develop and launch biosimilars without unnecessary delay,” said Bruce A. Leicher, chair of the Biosimilars Council and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “A healthy competitive marketplace keeps the innovation engine of American industry on track.”
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) is now AAM. Read more: http://accessiblemeds.org/campaign-expand-access-to-medicines/
