Article
What's in a Name — FDA Urged Not to Give Biosimilars Unique Names
This week, a coalition of 32 major pharmacies, health insurers, unions and pension plans asked the FDA not to require distinct names for biosimilar medications, arguing that such a move would not compromise patient safety, but could undermine the savings that are expected to be generated as these medicines are introduced into the US health care system.
When a biosimilar version of the Avastin cancer treatment becomes available, what should it be called?
The chemical name is bevacizumab, and this is often used by physicians and pharmacists when they discuss the drug. But whether such generic nomenclatures should also become widely used commercial monikers is the subject of an ongoing controversy among drug makers and their major customers.
And so, this week, a coalition of 32 major pharmacies, health insurers, unions and pension plans asked the FDA not to require distinct names for biosimilar medications, arguing that such a move would not compromise patient safety, but could undermine the savings that are expected to be generated as these medicines are introduced into the US health care system.
Read the full story here: http://on.wsj.com/1mJKrUO
Source: The Wall Street Journal
