Biosimilars can only succeed if they have the same non-proprietary name as originator, says Hospira

13 April 2015

Injectables specialist and global biosimilars leader Hospira (NYSE: HSP) said that it is essential that biosimilar drugs are given the same non-proprietary names as original biologics to ensure patient access and lower costs.

Speaking at the World Health Organization’s 60th Consultation on International Non-proprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances, Lisa Skeens, global vice president for regulatory affairs at Hospira, which is in the process of being acquired by uS pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), said that Europe’s approval of biosimilars with the same non-proprietary names as the reference biologic has proved effective over the past six years.

Dr Skeens also said that biosimilars have been successfully tracked in the marketplace using their brand name and other identifiers in place for product recognition, meaning a separate non-proprietary name isn’t necessary for keeping track of biosimilars when on the market.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK