Explaining key concepts about biosimilar medicines
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Biological medicines treat disease by mimicking the complex proteins that exist in our bodies naturally.
Just like in nature, where no two things are ever identical copies, there are natural differences between all biological medicines.
This means that it’s normal to find minor differences between batches of the same brand of a biological medicine. This is an accepted characteristic of these medicines.
All biological medicines undergo thorough testing to ensure that any minor differences won’t affect the safety or effectiveness of the final medicine.
The first man-made biological medicine was insulin, which became available in 1982. Prior to this, people with diabetes were treated with insulin taken from pigs!
We’ve since developed biological medicines to treat a range of diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and kidney disease.
A biosimilar medicine is a highly similar version of an original brand of a biological medicine, marketed by a different manufacturer once the patent on the original brand expires.
This is in contrast to generic medicines, which are identical to the original brand because they are produced by chemical processes.
Biosimilar brands of biological medicines are used to treat the same diseases, at the same dose and in the same way as the original brand of a biological medicine.
All biological medicines, including biosimilar medicines, are thoroughly tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure that they meet the same strict standards for quality, safety and effectiveness.
These rigorous quality control processes ensure that people will experience the same safety and effectiveness from their biological medicine whether they receive the original or the biosimilar brand.
The Australian Government is spending a significant portion of the medicines budget on keeping biological medicines affordable for those who need them.
Biosimilar medicines increase competition between brands of the same biological medicine, leading to reduced overall costs for the healthcare system.
By reducing the cost of healthcare services, the Government can invest in new medicines and offer better treatments to more people who need them, ensuring Australians receive world class healthcare today and in the future.
