Biosimilar Drugs: Why Prescriptions Aren’t Still Enough?

On September 3, 2015, in a Press Release, Novartis announced, “Zarxio(TM) (filgrastim-sndz) is now available in the United States. Zarxio is the first biosimilar approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the first to launch in the … Continue reading

A Great News! But…Would This ‘Golden Goose’ Lay Golden Eggs?

On December 9, 2014, international media flashed across the world a great news item from the Indian pharma industry: “The first biosimilar of the world’s top-selling medicine Humira (adalimumab) of AbbVie has been launched in India by Zydus Cadila.” This … Continue reading

‘Herceptin Biosimilars’ Seriously Questioned

The news struck as an anticlimax, close on the heels of high decibel product launch of ‘Herceptin Biosimilars’ in India, being hyped as the first in the world, bringing much needed relief to many diagnosed breast cancer patients for their … Continue reading

Pharma Horizon: Cloud, Rainbow And Smear

Some recent papers contemplated that the patent cliff for blockbuster drugs has already reached the zenith and early signs of recovery should be visible from 2013 onwards. However, from analysis of the currently available data, contrary to the above belief, I reckon, the downtrend … Continue reading

Supreme Court Suspends New Drug Trials in India…Time to Shape Up?

On September 30, 2013, with a damning stricture to the Drug Regulator, the Supreme Court, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Swasthya Adhikar Manch, stayed approvals for 162 applications for local Clinical Trials (CTs) of new … Continue reading

More Glivec Like Deals in China and Mounting Global Challenges: Innovators poised Joining Biosimilar Bandwagon

Pressure from the emerging markets on pricing of patented products is mounting fast. This time the country involved is China. Recently, the Health Minister of China who stepped down last month after a seven-year stint in the top health job … Continue reading

The Ghost Keeps Haunting: NCD Dogs Cancer in ‘Compulsory License’ Debate of India

In November 2012, as a part of the ‘Campaign for Affordable Trastuzumab’ for the treatment of breast cancer, a citizens’ collective, reportedly sent an ‘Open Letter’ signed by around 200 cancer survivors, women’s groups, human rights and health rights campaigns … Continue reading

Takes ‘Two to Tango’: Encashing Opportunities with Biologic drugs in India

Despite current ‘Patent Cliff’ ongoing research on biologics is now at the forefront of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry.  The bottom-line impact of a successful new biologic molecule to treat intractable ailments like, cancer, blood disorders, Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, … Continue reading