GMiA expands to GBMA
July 31, 2015
Reflecting the rise of
biosimilars as part of the generic
medicines business, the Generic
Medicines Industry Association
(GMiA) has been renamed as the
Generic and Biosimilar Medicines
Association (GBMA).
The move is effective immediately,
with the organisation saying it was
appropriate because “after patents
expire on brand name medicines,
affordable generic and biosimilar
medicines deliver the same health
benefits to patients while also
providing savings to taxpayers and
the government”.
This means more patients can
have access to essential medicines
and savings can be redirected into
the health system, said GBMA ceo
Belinda Wood.
“We are entering a new era
of affordable medicines with
biosimilars. Our new name signals
the significant role we, and generic
and biosimilar medicines, will
continue to play in the affordability
and access to healthcare,” she
said, with biosimilars set to make a
significant impact on the Australian
pharmaceutical landscape.
“Regulatory requirements,
reimbursement policy and
marketing practices are evolving
and there has never been a more
exciting time to be shaping positive
outcomes for patients, government
and industry,” Wood said. Today, GBMA members supply
every biosimilar, and 90% of generic
medicines, dispensed through the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme,
delivering affordable healthcare.
With 25% of current PBS
expenditure on biologics,
biosimilars will bring significant
savings to the Australian taxpayer
as well as broader access to lifechanging
medicines, said Wood.
Biological treatments soon
to come off patent include
adalimumab (Humira), etanercept
(Enbrel) and rituximab (Mabthera).
MEAN WHILE the newly named
GBMA is set to announce its new
chair next Mon 03 Aug, following
the departure of former chairman
Mark Crotty, Australia/NZ vice
president of Hospira (PD 24 Jul).
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