26 July 2016
Brenzys® is the first biosimilar etanercept to be approved in Australia, providing an alternative, affordable treatment option for patients living with a range of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) welcomes the approval of Brenzys by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and looks forward to it becoming widely available to patients through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
“Biosimilars are increasingly being used around the world to increase patient access to life changing medicines and reduce treatment costs. The availability, and PBS listing, of biosimilars in Australia will deliver significant PBS savings and enable more patients to be treated within the same budget,” said GBMA CEO, Belinda Wood.
“With Pfizer’s Enbrel® (etanercept) currently costing the PBS $180 million per year, the approval of Brenzys introduces important competition into the Australian market. It is through biosimilar market entry, PBS listing and competition that Australia is able to unlock the full value offered by biosimilars,”
“However, savings can only be realised if more affordable biosimilars are listed on the PBS, prescribed by doctors and dispensed by pharmacists,”
“GBMA encourages the government to fast-track the roll out of its $20million biosimilar awareness initiative to provide essential information on biosimilars for healthcare professionals, pharmacists and consumers,” she said.
ENDS
