Video Presentations PART 1

In this opening session, Executive Director of the Global Colon Cancer Association, Andrew R. Spiegel, Esq. shares general information on biosimilars and why more patient advocates need to be informed and involved.  You'll also hear a welcome message from Nicole Sheahan, President of the Global Colon Cancer Association, and Hussain Jafri,  Executive Director of the World Patients Alliance. 

Global Colon Cancer Association's Andrew Spiegel and Arthritis Foundation's Anna Hyde share U.S. patient advocate perspectives on biosimilars.

Professor Philip Schneider interviews U.S. rheumatologist Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR. Dr. Feldman will discuss how payer policies, including formulary construction, step therapy, and non-medical switching, can negatively affect patient care and contribute to higher drug prices. She will also suggest ways for policymakers to remedy these problems, and for patient advocates to engage on these policies.

Attendees will learn: What are biologic medicines, what are biosimilars, how are they different from generics? What key policy issues arise from these differences: naming/pharmacovigilance, non-medical substitution, who controls treatment decisions? Learn why these issues are important to patient advocates and how they can help the patients they represent be informed partners in their own care. 

Give customers a reason to do business with you. US gastroenterologist Ralph McKibbin, MD shares physician perspectives on key policy issues surrounding biosimilars- including physician confidence in their safety and efficacy, and how and when they are substituted. Other topics discussed include non-medical switching, interchangeability, and the importance of maintaining patient-physician control of treatment decisions.  Dr. Mckibbin shares survey data from physicians in the US, Canada, Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, UK), Australia, and Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Mexico)  

Professor Philip Schnieder presents an overview of different types of biosimilars substitution systems around the world and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each from a patient perspective. These include:   Western Europe (many products reimbursed, physician/patient retain ultimate control, biosimilars encouraged for new patients)   Eastern Europe- only certain biosimilars are reimbursed.   Canada, Australia- moving away from W. Europe model to more like E. Europe- forced switching US- coverage often determined by third-party payer (PBM) coverage- CMS switching practices, “Interchangeability”.

Patient Advocate Gail Attara of Canada's Biosimilar Working Group will share her perspectives on biosimilars.  Learn about the biosimilar substitution policies many provincial governments are using to realize the cost benefits of biosimilars and hear concerns raised by patient advocates and physicians.  Learn what patient advocates need to do as these policies are debated and developed to make sure they work for Canada's patients.

Nicole Sheahan, President of the Global Colon Cancer Association, closes out part 1 of the Biosimilars Training Program and previews part 2.