Oncology

Biden Asks Congress for Support on Pharmaceutical Price Controls

August 13th 2021

By Tony Hagen

Passage of HR 3 is shaping up as a centerpiece of President Biden's effort to bring pharmaceutical prices under control. If drug companies won't negotiate prices, international reference pricing would kick in.

Study: Payers Play Wait-and-See Game of Biosimilar Preference

August 12th 2021

By Tony Hagen

When it comes to their willingness to use biosimilars, providers and managed care pharmacists prefer greater transparency on formulary placement and costs, according to a focus group study based on health care surveys.

Report: Specialty Drug Cost Increase Eased a Little in 2020

August 12th 2021

By Tony Hagen

A report from Artemetrx details 2020 changes in demand for biosimilars and other specialty drugs, according to health plan spending. Dynamics that could affect future spending are also explained.

Viatris Expresses Faith in Its Biosimilars Lineup

August 11th 2021

By Tony Hagen

Semglee (insulin glargine) will be the first test of the FDA's interchangeability concept for biosimilars, but Viatris aims to grow its biosimilar revenues with multiple products.

Payers Respond to AAO's Bevacizumab Biosimilar Contentions

August 11th 2021

By Tony Hagen

Payers defend their policies on biosimilars in ophthalmic settings following allegations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

An Interview With the AAO About Its Bevacizumab Concerns

August 10th 2021

By Tony Hagen

"[Payers] are incorrectly assuming that biosimilars of bevacizumab are going to behave the same as Avastin in the eye, and they’re making that assumption with absolutely no data," contends George Williams, MD, clinical spokesperson and past president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Neal Dave, PharmD, Discusses What Clinics Need to Do to Ensure Biosimilars Are Cost-efficient

August 9th 2021

Health care systems need to consistently reevaluate whether the biosimilars they utilize are the most cost-effective, Neal Dave, PharmD, the executive director of pharmacy at Texas Oncology, explains.

Formycon and Bioeq Update on Ranibizumab BLA, and Coherus Reports Earnings

August 6th 2021

By Tony Hagen

After a delay caused by a manufacturing shift, Formycon and Bioeq are back on track with their ranibizumab biologics license application (BLA), and their partner Coherus BioSciences is aligned for US commercialization.

Amgen Reports 56% Increase in Biosimilar Sales

August 5th 2021

By Tony Hagen

Amgen reported a strong increase in biosimilar sales for the year but said competition is forcing down prices and affecting revenues for its originator products, too.

Ophthalmology Group Opposes Payer Recommendations for Bevacizumab Biosimilars

August 4th 2021

By Tony Hagen

A supply chain shortage of Avastin (bevacizumab) is prompting policies for use of bevacizumab biosimilars instead, which the American Academy of Ophthalmology says could lead to problems.