Biosimilars Forum launches access, awareness initiative

WASHINGTON — The Biosimilars Forum launched Monday its new Partnership for Biosimilars Education and Access. The new initiative is aimed at raising awareness off and increasing access to biosimilars, and its launch was accompanied by the release of two education guides for health care professionals, patient advocacy groups and the media on the group’s website.  

 

“We know that some of the most difficult diseases that afflict people in the U.S. are best treated with biological medicines,” Biosimilars Forum president Juliana Reed said. “The introduction of biosimilars is anticipated to help drive lower cost burdens for the U.S. health care system. It will also help expand earlier, more consistent access to these important medicines for patients with cancer, anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases.”

 

The first U.S. biosimilar, Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and launched by Sandoz in 2015.