We invite you to attend the 1^st Synergy Satellite event:

"Biosimilars – do not look into the mirror"

                     Wednesday, 13 March 2013                                                                 Speakers

                         Time: 11.30 – 13.00                                                                         "European biosimilars regulation" – Dr. Hans Ebbers, PhD

                         Room: Amphi Bordeaux – Level 3                                               "Manufacturing biosimilar, complex implications or not?" – Prof. Huub Schellekens

                                                                                                                                      "Clinical implications of biosimilars" – Prof.Dr.J.M.W.Hazes

                                                                 

An increasing number of biopharmaceuticals patents are expiring and we can expect more and more copies of these drugs to be brought to the market across Europe. The list includes erythropoietins, gonadotropins, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs), human growth hormones, human insulins, interferons and in the near future monoclonal antibodies.

In contrast to "standard" small-molecule chemical drugs, biopharmaceuticals are considerably larger and more complex molecules, more difficult to characterize and produced from living organisms. Due to their complexity and to the inherent variability of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, the generic pathway for regulatory approval cannot be used for biosimilars and specific regulations were made for their development. Biopharmaceuticals are created via a unique process whereby microbial cells are cultured in various types of bioreactors to produce proteins which are very sensitive to the production conditions. Even the most minor change in manufacture could have a major impact on biological activity and safety, as was observed with the emergence of pure red cell aplasia after a modification of formulation of an original epoetin alfa. Thus, biosimilars are unique molecules and are not generic versions of the innovator biopharmaceuticals.

Another key point is about the therapeutic equivalence of these drugs, which is an important consideration in decisions about substitution and exchangeability. Nearly all European countries have rules against automatic substitution with biosimilars for reasons of traceability. Therefore, given that biosimilar products are not generic products, a switch from filgrastim or epoetin alfa to a biosimilar is considered a change in clinical management and should be done only under the guidance of a responsible clinician.

In conclusion, it is important to be attentive to the arrival of biosimilars, to inform physicians about changes in internal referencing, avoiding substitutions and to be careful in switching biopharmaceuticals in individual patients.

As key stakeholders in assessing and selecting drugs for in-hospital use, hospital pharmacists need 1) to have particular awareness of the efficacy and safety when biosimilars are used and 2) to improve their knowledge about biosimilars, from a regulatory, manufacturing and clinical point of view.

Needs assessment

The Synergy Satellite “Biosimilars, don't look into the mirror” is addressed to hospital pharmacists and/or clinical pharmacists involved in decision-making about referencing biopharmaceutic drugs into their hospitals and/or in decisions about drug choice to be administered with the medical team.

With the increasing number of biopharmaceuticals patents expiring, many copies of these drugs are to be brought to the market across Europe. These “copies” are not generic drugs but are named “biosimilars”.

Biopharmaceutical drugs are very complex drugs requiring a complex manufacturing process, which explains why European regulations have created the biosimilar status for their copies, quite distinct from understanding of “generic” medicines.

With so many pharmacists closely involved in the choice of referencing drugs in their hospitals, it is essential that the hospital pharmacist understand the differences between both generics and biosimilars as well as between biosimilars and the original biopharmaceutical drug. 

In order to improve their practice with physicians and with patients pharmacists also need to be aware of the potential clinical consequences of using biosimilars and making switches between these drugs.

Finally, the aim of the Synergy Satellite is to provide useful general information and knowledge about biosimilars, from a regulatory, manufacturing and clinical point of view.

Supported by an educational grant from Amgen