With the help of the Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) comprising of 7 colorectal cancer patients and carers, Digestive Cancers Europe has developed a position paper on the use of biosimilar medicines in colorectal cancer.

We believe equality of access to medicines is a fundamental right for all patients. Partly due to the disparities in availability of biological medicines, there are wide ranging standards of care for colorectal cancer across Europe, which means that where someone lives is a crucial factor in their prognosis. We passionately believe that all patients with colorectal cancer should have access to the same high standard of care, regardless of where they live.
With this in mind, we believe there is an important role for biosimilar medicines to play in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Because they are generally less expensive than the reference medicine, the introduction of biosimilar medicines could increase patient access to biologic therapies, without compromising quality. This in turn could generate cost savings that could be redistributed to expand patient access to other biologic therapies, or improve healthcare by providing services and care that are currently not provided.

Patient safety is the main priority and it is vital that biosimilars continue to be evaluated with the same exacting standards as the reference medicines. It is also important that patients are fully informed about the medicines available to be able to make an informed decision themselves. We also acknowledge that the companies that create the reference medicines invest millions into the research and development program of each medicine in extremely thorough clinical trial programs. They have well-established manufacturing processes for these complex medicines and well-established pharmacovigilance in place. The EMA has imposed similar pharmacovigilance programs for all biosimilars.

To see Digestive Cancers Europe position on the use of biosimilar medicines in colorectal cancer, click here.

Author:
Guido