Canberra, ACT

A commitment to drive the uptake of biosimilar medicines in Australia has seen Korean biopharmaceutical company, Celltrion Healthcare, join Australia’s peak body representing generic and biosimilar manufacturers, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA).

GBMA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Marnie Peterson, welcomed Celltrion Healthcare as the first member to join the Association’s new ‘Biosimilar Membership’.

“This is further evidence of the role that biosimilar medicines can play in ensuring a sustainable healthcare system for Australian patients, particularly for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS),” Ms Peterson said.

“Biosimilars provide a real opportunity to help manage the growing costs of new medicines such as biologics.”

“Similar to the opportunity generic medicines provide, there is an enormous potential for biosimilars to significantly reduce the pressure on the PBS while increasing patient access to safe, affordable and life changing medicines,” she said.

Mr Hyoung-Ki Kim, Vice Chairman & CEO at Celltrion Healthcare looks forward to the new partnership with GBMA.

“With the recent establishment of Celltrion Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd. in Sydney, we are excited to be a member of the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA).”

“At Celltrion Healthcare, our aim is to provide the best possible treatment options for patients and healthcare providers, and by connecting with the GBMA, we look forward to engaging positively to support the uptake of biosimilar medicines in Australia as a way to alleviate pressure on its national health system.”, Mr Kim said.

The GBMA’s Biosimilar Membership looks to support the varying nature of manufacturing portfolios currently seen in market, which highlights the need for a dedicated membership structure for biosimilar manufacturers without a generic portfolio.

“The addition of our newest member underscores the evolution of GBMA’s role within the Australian healthcare framework and we welcome Celltrion Healthcare to the GBMA, joining us on the biosimilar journey in Australia.”, said Ms Peterson.

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ABOUT GBMA
The GBMA is the national association representing companies that manufacture, supply and export generic and biosimilar medicines. GBMA represents all major generic medicine suppliers in Australia, accounting for more than 90% of all generic medicines dispensed in Australia. Members of GBMA ensure all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, which provide affordable health outcomes that benefit all Australians. Members of GBMA take seriously their role in the responsible provision of affordable medicines in Australia, as stipulated in the National Medicines Policy. The generic and biosimilar medicines sector is a high value-add sector delivering significant health and economic benefits to the Australian public. The availability of generic medicines in this country helps to deliver:

– Timely access to affordable medicines;
– Substantial savings to the PBS;
– Thousands of highly skilled jobs; and
– Domestic manufacturing and annual exports of around $300 million.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

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Canberra, ACT

The peak body for generic and biosimilar medicines congratulates the Coalition on securing a clear majority in its election victory and welcomes Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement of his Ministry, particularly the reappointment of Greg Hunt as Australia’s Health Minister.

CEO of the Generic and Biosimilars Medicines Association (GBMA), Ms Marnie Peterson, said that GBMA members look forward to continuing their strong working relationship with Minister Hunt to ensure that Australians continue to have access to high quality, safe and affordable generic and biosimilar medicines.

“Generic and biosimilar medicines have been a frontline instrument for providing affordable medicines through the PBS and the GBMA is well-placed and ready to discuss the future of Australia’s health system with the returned Government,” Ms Peterson said.

“Australia faces challenges across all sectors of its health system. The security and viability of the Australian healthcare system and the sustainability of the PBS is paramount, with the right policies and frameworks to support world-class healthcare for Australian patients,” she said. “GBMA is an integral stakeholder in the healthcare system that is committed to working with the returned government to meet these challenges, ensuring all Australians receive the best health outcomes today and into the future.”

Ms Peterson said Minister Hunt had a commendable track record as Health Minister, with a strong focus on improving the health and welfare of Australians. He had repeatedly demonstrated his commitment with the listing of approved medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), she added.

During the election campaign, the GBMA was pleased to receive support from Minister Hunt reaffirming the Morrison Government’s commitment to the generic and biosimilar medicines sector to not only support patients, but in recognition that the sector required stability and predictability for market access and to invest in new treatments and jobs.

In response, GBMA Chair, Mr Sylvain Vigneault welcomed this commitment and said: “Through both educational and policy initiatives, we look forward to Minister Hunt’s continued support to drive further uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines. This will provide a clear benefit when the cost savings derived from the introduction of biosimilar medicines are used to contribute to the much-needed subsidy for new listings”.

The GBMA’s focus – to provide timely access to affordable medicines for more Australians and the sustainability of the PBS – has expanded to encompass the facilitation of peer-to-peer information exchange about the role of biosimilar medicines in delivering sustainable, high-quality healthcare to Australian patients.

“The GBMA looks forward to continued collaboration with the Morrison Government and all of our stakeholders in this important work,” Mr Vigneault said.

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ABOUT GBMA
GBMA is the national association representing companies that manufacture, supply and export generic and biosimilar medicines. GBMA represents all major generic medicine suppliers in Australia and more than 90% of all generic medicines dispensed in Australia. Members of GBMA ensure all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, which provide affordable health outcomes that benefit all Australians. Members of GBMA take seriously their role in the responsible provision of affordable medicines in Australia, as stipulated in the National Medicines Policy. The generic and biosimilar medicines sector is a high value-add sector delivering significant health and economic benefits to the Australian public. The availability of generic medicines in this country helps to deliver:

– Timely access to affordable medicines;
– Substantial savings to the PBS;
– Thousands of highly skilled jobs; and
– Domestic manufacturing and annual exports of around $300 million.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

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Canberra, ACT

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA), peak body for generic and biosimilar medicines, congratulates Treasurer Frydenberg and Health Minister Hunt on the delivery of a Budget that provides a practical, fiscal plan that aims to secure the healthcare of Australians.

GBMA Chief Executive, Marnie Peterson, on behalf of members welcomes the Government’s Budget focus on funding for PBS medicines and new health initiatives.

GBMA members welcome $40 billion in the Budget 2019-20 measures that will ensure broader and more cost-effective access to life-changing and life-saving medicines products.

“The Health budget demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to listings on the PBS and spending on health, to provide the necessary funding for Australia’s healthcare system,” Ms Peterson said.

Generic and biosimilar medicines have been a frontline instrument for providing timely access to affordable medicines through the PBS.  Long term investment in the PBS will ensure crucial eco-system and partnerships between generic and biosimilar medicines and branded medicines continue and prosper, benefitting all Australians.

The GBMA is the representative body for generic and biosimilar medicine suppliers in Australia, and its members ensure that Australians have access to high quality and affordable, generic and biosimilar medicines.

ABOUT GBMA
GBMA is the national association representing companies that manufacture, supply and export generic and biosimilar medicines. GBMA represents all major generic medicine suppliers in Australia and more than 90% of all generic medicines dispensed in Australia. Members of GBMA ensure all Australians are offered high quality generic and biosimilar medicines, which provide affordable health outcomes that benefit all Australians. Members of GBMA take seriously their role in the responsible provision of affordable medicines in Australia, as stipulated in the National Medicines Policy. The generic and biosimilar medicines sector is a high value-add sector delivering significant health and economic benefits to the Australian public. The availability of generic medicines in this country helps to deliver:

– Timely access to affordable medicines;
– Substantial savings to the PBS;
– Thousands of highly skilled jobs; and
– Domestic manufacturing and annual exports of around $300 million.

For more information, please contact the GBMA – admin@gbma.com.au or visit www.gbma.com.au

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Canberra, ACT

New laws, aimed at better informing patients about medicine shortages, have been applauded by the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (GBMA).

Australian patients will have access to timely and relevant information about the supply of critical and life-saving medicines, including advice about how to minimize the impact of a shortage, with the Parliament passing the Morrison Government’s landmark legislation.

The GBMA has been working closely with the Government and stakeholders to harness support for the passage of this important legislation.

The Chair of GBMA, Mr Sylvain Vigneault, said medicine shortages are a global challenge and Australia was showing leadership on such a complex issue.
“This is a significant development that will lead to better protection of our most vulnerable Australians.” Mr Vigneault said.

“Now, industry, community pharmacy, hospitals and the Government will collaborate more effectively to ensure information about the supply of vital medicines reaches those who need it.”

“Patients need certainty and clarity on when there is likely to be a shortage of vital medicines, unintentional or otherwise,” said Mr Vigneault said.

“This will give Australia a more effective system to red flag potential issues before they impact on patients.”