Industry Welcomes The European Commission Workshop On The Uptake Of Biosimilar Medicines

The European pharmaceutical industry welcomes the workshop organised recently by the European Commission Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Grow) on access to biosimilar medicines in Europe, in relation to the Corporate Responsibility Programme. Patients, doctors, pharmacists, academics, authorities, press and industry will gather at this workshop to share experiences with biosimilar medicines across Europe.

For the pharmaceutical industry to contribute effectively to the health and wellbeing of EU citizens, industry strategies must be in line with societal needs. The European Commission set up the ‘Process on Corporate Responsibility in the Field of Pharmaceuticals’ to facilitate discussions on ethics and transparency, and on non-regulatory conditions for better access to medicines after they have been granted a marketing authorisation.

The expanding numbers and use of biosimilars can support better value for healthcare and the potential for greater access for patients. The three associations thank the European Commission for organising this workshop and standing behind the development of this annual update from IMS on the impact of biosimilar competition.

The new IMS report, entitled: “The Impact of Biosimilar Competition”, highlights key aspects such as price competition and the significant increase in access resulting from the introduction of biosimilar medicines, especially in countries where there has been an unmet medical need, such as in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland.

In addition, while at last year’s event, the patient organisations voiced the need for more information on biological medicines – including biosimilars – at the event taking place today, the initial results of a patient-friendly Q&A on biosimilar medicines was presented.

About the issuers of this press release

The industry is represented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and Medicines for Europe-Biosimilar Medicines Group.

About EFPIA

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 33 national associations and 42 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA is the voice on the EU scene of 1,900 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that will improve health and the quality of life around the world.

About Medicines for Europe - Biosimilar Medicines Group

Medicines for Europe (formerly EGA) represents the generic, biosimilar and value added medicines industries across Europe. Its vision is to provide sustainable access to high quality medicines, based on 5 important pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability and partnership. Its members employ 160,000 people at over 350 manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, and invest up to 17% of their turnover in medical innovation.

The Biosimilar Medicines Group is a sector group of Medicines for Europe and represents the leading companies developing, manufacturing and marketing biosimilar medicines across Europe. Our members bring competition to the biologic medicines market, thereby increasing access to highly innovative medical treatments to patients in Europe and around the world, and supporting the sustainability of the European healthcare systems.

About EuropaBio

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, promotes an innovative and dynamic European biotechnology industry. EuropaBio and its members are committed to the socially responsible use of biotechnology to improve quality of life, to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure diseases, to improve the quality and quantity of food and feedstuffs and to move towards a biobased and zero-waste economy. EuropaBio represents 77 corporate and associate members and bio regions, and 16 national biotechnology associations in turn representing over 1800 biotech SMEs. For more information, visit www.europabio.org.