Thursday June 1, 2023
Canberra, ACT
An award-winning Australian boutique Intellectual Property firm, specialising in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals sectors, has joined Australia’s peak body for affordable medicines, at a time of change in medicine access policies.
The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA)’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Marnie Peterson, said Pearce IP has joined as its newest Associate Member, as the sector undergoes significant reform, including implementation of the GBMA’s five-year Strategic Agreement with the Government.
GBMA’s Independent Chair, Professor Jane Halton AO PSM, said the Board and members, all welcomed Pearce IP to the shared mission of ensuring all Australian patients had secured access to safe and affordable medicines, in particular biosimilars.
At a time when the cost of living is hurting many families, Professor Halton said more needed to be done to unlock the health and fiscal benefits of biosimilars to deliver savings and restore balance to an overstretched health budget.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pearce IP, Ms Naomi Pearce, agreed and said she was committed to supporting the GBMA as it developed policies that further enabled all Australians to access these affordable medicines.
“Throughout the last few years, in particular with the pandemic, companies supplying medicines have been challenged and stretched in ways that no one could have foreseen,” Ms Pearce said. “Having collaborated with GBMA members for more than two decades, I am proud that Pearce IP is strengthening our support for this sector and the patients it serves, in these challenging times.”
Ms Peterson said that drawing on the trusted insights of members, such as Pearce IP, the GBMA would continue to advocate for medicine access policies that supported healthcare sustainability for the long- term.
“The GBMA looks forward to working with all members to ensure Australian patients can continue to access affordable, high-quality medicines, and support those most in need,” Ms Peterson said.
-ENDS-
Media inquiries:
Jannette Cotterell
Executive Counsel Australia
0419 204 059
jcotterell@executivecounsel.com.au
ABOUT GBMA
The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA) is the peak representative body of generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia. Its members ensure that all Australians are offered the highest quality generic and biosimilar medicines in the world whilst providing affordable community health outcomes that benefit all Australians.
For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au
ABOUT PEARCE IP
Pearce IP is a boutique firm offering intellectual property specialist lawyers, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Pearce IP is the 2021 ‘Intellectual Property Team of the Year’ (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards) and was shortlisted for the same award in 2022. Pearce IP is ranked in IAM Patent 1000 and Managing IP (MIP) IP Stars, in Australasian Lawyer 5 Star Awards as a ‘5 Star’ firm, and the Legal 500 APAC Guide for Intellectual Property.
Pearce IP leaders are well recognised as leading IP practitioners. Our leaders have been recognised in virtually every notable IP listing for their legal, patent and trade mark excellence. Biopharma & Life Sciences Patent Lawyers in Australia – Pearce IP
ABOUT BIOSIMILARS(1)
Biosimilar medicines are highly similar versions of the original, or ‘reference’, brand of a biological medicine. They are subject to the same regulatory standards and are equally safe and effective at treating the same diseases as the original biological medicine.(2)
Biosimilar brands of medicine come onto the market after the patent for the equivalent reference brand of a biological medicine has expired. They provide more brand options for the same clinical results and introduce competition into the medicines market. They have been in use internationally for more than 15 years.
1. Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. About Medicines. Available online: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicines/about-medicines. (Accessed on 31 January 2023).
2. Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. Biosimilar Medicines Regulation. Available online: Biosimilar medicines regulation | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
