Source: Forbes
Bruce Japsen
The first U.S. approval of the “generic” biologic prescription version of the widely prescribed anti-infective cancer medicine Neupogen officially opens the door to a new era in cheaper drugs that could save the U.S. health care system tens of billions of dollars a year.
The so-called biosimilar of Neupogen known as Zarxio from Novartis (NVS), was approved Friday by the Food and Drug Administration. Here’s Forbes’ David Kroll’s look at the approval.
Zarxio’s expected to be prescribed as a cheaper alternative to a brand name drug sold by Amgen (AMGN) that had an average monthly price of $3,500, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts (ESRX).
Biosimilars are possible thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the law’s promise to bring cheaper versions of expensive biotech drugs to the U.S. market.
FULL story at link.
Read more:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2015/03/07/first-copycat-biotech-drug-spurs-250b-obamacare-savings/