Guidelines
Guide for the comparability assessment of biological drugs in Colombia
Biological drugs have been a breakthrough in the treatment of many diseases, but their cost is usually high, so the development and approval of similar biotherapeutic products has greatly facilitated access for patients, especially in developing countries. That is why Colombia issued guidelines including all these similar biotherapeutic products [1].
FDA issues new guidance on biosimilar development and the BPCI Act
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published final guidance on ‘Questions and Answers on Biosimilar Development and the BPCI Act’ and draft guidance on ‘New and Revised Draft Q&As on Biosimilar Development and the BPCI Act (Revision 3)’.
Decree signed in Costa Rica for the use of generic name in medicines
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has been pushing since 2018 the decree of the 'Regulations for the Prescription and Dispensing of Medicines in Conformity with their International Nonproprietary Name (INN)’ for the Costa Rican private market [1].
Biosimilar User Fee Act (III) performance goals letter published
In mid-September 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the Performance Goals Letter for the Biosimilar User Fee Act (BsUFA) III (FY2023 – FY2027) [1].
FDA updates generics guidance due to COVID-19 pandemic
On 8 September 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised its questions and answers guidance on generic drug development and abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) submissions during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
WHO guidelines on pharmaceutical pricing policies
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new plain language summary on country pharmaceutical pricing policies, as part of its efforts to promote the use of high-quality generic and biosimilar medicines.
Mexico introduces new decree on health regulation
On 31 May 2021, COFEPRIS published the Decree which specifies changes to the Health Supplies Regulation (Reglamento de Insumos para la Salud, RIS). These changes, most of which are effective immediately, streamline administrative processes, focus on health surveillance, and promote openness and innovation in global health inputs.
UK’s MHRA updates its guidance on licensing biosimilars
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has updated its guidance on biosimilars, softening the rules in order to enable these products to reach the UK market faster.
Draft decree for prescribing generics in Costa Rica
The decree on the 'Regulation for the Prescription of Medicines in Conformity with their International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for the Costa Rican private market' has been promoted by the Ministry of Health since 2018 and establishes that all doctors, dentists and obstetricians are obliged to prescribe medicines by their international non-proprietary name or generic name and not by brand name. The regulation also adds that doctors will be able to include the brand name of the medicine in the prescription if there are 'clinico-pharmacological reasons' that justify recommending that product.
NICE recommends additional biologicals for rheumatoid arthritis
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which publishes clinical guidance for England, has recommended the use of new biological drugs for the treatment of moderate rheumatoid arthritis. The treatments have become available thanks to biosimilars, which have drastically reduced costs to the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
