SANDOZ has announced the listing of the first aflibercept biosimilar, AFQLIR, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), improving access to ophthalmology treatments for Australians living with multiple neovascular-related conditions.
The medication offers an additional treatment option for the 160,000 people around the country who are affected by neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in older Australians.
AFQLIR (aflibercept) provides clinicians with a biosimilar alternative to the reference medicine EYLEA (aflibercept), supporting timely and affordable access for eligible patients.
"Biosimilar medicines are an essential part of a sustainable healthcare system, and one of our focuses has been on understanding the real-world barriers that prevent Australians from accessing them," said Clint Holland (pictured), general manager Sandoz Australia and New Zealand.
"Through ongoing engagement with patients, clinicians and policymakers, we're committed to supporting a system where biosimilar medicines are well understood, trusted and easily accessible for all Australians."
As part of the company's commitment to improve affordability, reliability and equity in access for Australians who rely on biologic and biosimilar medicines, Sandoz has partnered with Patients Australia to launch a national survey examining the lived experiences and barriers faced by individuals and their families navigating treatment pathways, with the results to be released later this year.
Currently, biosimilar adoption in Australia remains comparatively low, with the country's uptake sitting at 39% for anti-TNF biosimilar medicines compared with an average of 67% across other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, including the US and Japan. JM
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