By Bill O'Neil
They are seen as wonder drugs by many--used to treat devastating diseases. Now Texas could be shaping up as one battleground in the fight over using generic versions of those medications.
They are called "biologics" and examples include the brand names Enbrel and Humira. They are made with living organisms as opposed to chemicals--and could soon be more easily available to those who could really benefit from them--as
generic versiosn called "biosimilars" move closer to approval for use.
"Two of the giants of the biotech industry--are already trying to block biosimilars from getting to the market when approved by the FDA" said Generic Pharmaceutical Association President and CEO Ralph Nease--who told 550 KTSA News generics of traditional chemical medications have already been a big positive for patients.
"Three-point-two billion of the four billion prescriptions are generic--and hopefully someday in the very near future, the same percentage will be there in biosimilars"
Nease said.
Texas is one of at least six states where legislation has been filed to allow such a substitution to take place. Nease said it is the patient who wins.
"Generics have saved a trillion dollars for the system over the last ten years--almost two-hundred billion dollars just last year", Nease said.
photos: flickr.com; enbrel.com;humirainfo.com;justmytruth.wordpress.com
They are seen as wonder drugs by many--used to treat devastating diseases. Now Texas could be shaping up as one battleground in the fight over using generic versions of those medications.
They are called "biologics" and examples include the brand names Enbrel and Humira. They are made with living organisms as opposed to chemicals--and could soon be more easily available to those who could really benefit from them--as
generic versiosn called "biosimilars" move closer to approval for use."Two of the giants of the biotech industry--are already trying to block biosimilars from getting to the market when approved by the FDA" said Generic Pharmaceutical Association President and CEO Ralph Nease--who told 550 KTSA News generics of traditional chemical medications have already been a big positive for patients.
"Three-point-two billion of the four billion prescriptions are generic--and hopefully someday in the very near future, the same percentage will be there in biosimilars"
Nease said.Texas is one of at least six states where legislation has been filed to allow such a substitution to take place. Nease said it is the patient who wins.
"Generics have saved a trillion dollars for the system over the last ten years--almost two-hundred billion dollars just last year", Nease said.
