Sandoz, Inc. Executive Director of Scientific Affairs Hillel Cohen joins us to talk about the future of biosimilars in the United States. Accessibility begins with educating patients, providers and payers on biosimilars, interchangeability and the safety and effectiveness of these more cost-effective treatments.
In this video, Dr. Cohen discusses:
- What a biologic drug is, and why patients can expect the same efficacy and safety that they see in a biologic in a biosimilar.
- Variability in biosimilars and the importance and emphasis the FDA places on ensuring both biologics and biosimilars have a robust safety profile for patients.
- The birth of biosimilars in the U.S. and the FDA approval process for a biosimilar drug.
- The interchangeability designation for biosimilars and the rigorous process that a biosimilar must complete in order to achieve such a designation.
- The barriers to patient uptake of biosimilars, including the current naming convention.
- Patient access and the future of biosimilars.
This video was created as part of the first Member Spotlight Series — in-depth content featuring experts from the Biosimilars Council sharing their unique experience and perspective on issues impacting the emerging biosimilars market.
Related Resources:
- Q&A with Hillel Cohen
- The Importance of Naming for Market Adoption
- Interchangeable Biologics and Biosimilars [Video]
About the Biosimilars Council
The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), works to ensure a positive environment for patient access to biosimilar medicines. The Biosimilars Council is a leading source for information about the safety and efficacy of more affordable alternatives to costly brand biologic medicines. Areas of focus include public and health expert education, strategic partnerships, government affairs, legal affairs and regulatory policy. More information is available on our about page.
About AAM
AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 90 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 22 percent of total drug spending. Additional information is available at www.accessiblemeds.org.