Industry Welcomes the 3rd European Commission Workshop on Biosimilar Medicines
- The European Commission today organised its 3rd workshop on biosimilar medicines, bringing together patients, doctors, pharmacists, academics, authorities, and industry across Europe.
- During the workshop, the European Commission and European Medicines Agency (EMA) also launched an information guide on biosimilars for healthcare professionals to provide EU healthcare professionals with reference information on the science and regulation underpinning the use of biosimilars medicines.
- EFPIA, EuropaBio and Medicines for Europe, welcome both efforts to further promote the exchange of neutral information and learnings on biosimilars between stakeholders
Brussels, 5 May 2017
The European pharmaceutical industry welcomes the 3rd workshop on access to biosimilars, organised today by the European Commission Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) on access to biosimilar medicines in Europe. The event brought together patients, doctors, pharmacists, academics, authorities, press and industry to share experiences with biosimilar medicines across Europe.
The event has provided a great platform for information sharing on topics such as the importance of collaboration in encouraging the use of biosimilar medicines and building stakeholder confidence in biosimilar medicines through evidence-based information sharing.
In addition, following the successful launch of a Q&A for patients on biosimilar medicines at the end of 2016, the European Commission and EMA have jointly introduced an information guide for healthcare professionals. This document provides reliable information for EU healthcare professionals with reference information on the science and regulation underpinning the use of biological medicines, including biosimilars.
The European pharmaceutical industry fully supports the increased competition in the biologics markets and its contribution to the sustainability of healthcare systems and commends the European Commission which has contributed to the acceptance of and trust in biosimilar medicines in Europe. The broad range of stakeholders that attended the event from across Europe reflects the increasing interest and relevance of biosimilar medicines.
About the issuers of this press release
The industry is represented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries, and Associations (EFPIA), the European Association for Bioindustries (EuropaBio) and Medicines for Europe-Biosimilar Medicines Group.
For further information, please contact:
EFPIA: Communications Team, +32 2626 2555, communications@efpia.eu
EuropaBio: Cosmin Popa, +32 2 739 11 73, c.popa@europabio.org
Medicines for Europe: Doris Casares, +32 2 533 98 18, doris@medicinesforeurope.com
About EFPIA
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 33 national associations and 39 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA is the voice on the EU scene of 1,900 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that will improve health and the quality of life around the world.
About EuropaBio
EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, promotes an innovative and dynamic European biotechnology industry. EuropaBio and its members are committed to the socially responsible use of biotechnology to improve quality of life, to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure diseases, to improve the quality and quantity of food and feedstuffs and to move towards a biobased and zero-waste economy. EuropaBio represents 77 corporate and associate members and bio regions, and 16 national biotechnology associations in turn representing over 1800 biotech SMEs.
Read more about our work at www.europabio.org.
About Medicines for Europe - Biosimilar Medicines Group
Medicines for Europe represents the generic, biosimilar and value added medicines industries across Europe. Its vision is to provide sustainable access to high quality medicines, based on 5 important pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability and partnership. Its members employ 160,000 people at over 350 manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, and invest up to 17% of their turnover in medical innovation.
The Biosimilar Medicines Group is a sector group of Medicines for Europe and represents the leading companies developing, manufacturing and marketing biosimilar medicines across Europe. Our members bring competition to the biologic medicines market, thereby increasing access to highly innovative medical treatments to patients in Europe and around the world, and supporting the sustainability of the European healthcare systems.