The group signed an agreement with Amgen for the marketing and sales of Amgevita, Finland’s first adalimumab biosimilar. The originator product, AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) is the most-sold medicine globally and in Finland, and the group expects its impact on medicine reimbursement costs in Finland to be substantial.

Biotech giant Amgen launched its adalimumab biosimilar Amgevita on 16 October 2018 in the 28 European Union Member States as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which are members of the European Economic Area. Amgevita was the first adalimumab biosimilar to receive European Commission approval in Europe back in March 2017 [1].

Orion’s wholesale and distribution subsidiary, Finland-based Oriola, will be in charge of marketing Amgevita in the country. This is the third biosimilar to be introduced in Finland by the Orion Group. The first biosimilar commercialized by Orion has been in hospital use since 2013 when the biosimilar version of infliximab received marketing authorization.

The Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) has actively encouraged the use of biosimilars. In May 2015, it recommended to the healthcare system in Finland that biosimilars were interchangeable with their reference biologicals under the supervision of a healthcare professional [2].

Related articles
Policies to lower prices of generics in Austria and Finland

Factors important for generic substitution in Finland

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars approved in Europe [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Nov 17]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-approved-in-Europe
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Finnish drug regulator recommends interchangeability of biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Nov 17]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Policies-Legislation/Finnish-drug-regulator-recommends-interchangeability-of-biosimilars

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2018 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.