Merck Creates Educational Resource for Biosimilars

Merck recently announced the launch of Biosimilars Clarified, which is an educational platform for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare community.

The new website will discuss commonly asked information about biosimilars, according to a press release from Merck. Biosimilars are biologic products that receive approval based on showing the new product is highly similar to a biologic drug previously approved by the FDA.

The product the new drug is similar to is known as the originator biologic or reference product. Biosimilars have no significant differences regarding safety, purity, and potency of the drug, Merck reported.

The approval is based on a review of data from studies that show the biosimilar is not clinically different than the reference product.

“Biosimilars can offer alternative treatment options, and have the potential to help reduce healthcare spending and increase access to important biologic medicines,” said Dora Bibila, general manager, Merck Biosimilars. “At Merck, we want to provide educational resources for patients and caregivers to help them get the information they want and need. We believe the more patients know, the more they can be in charge of their health — Biosimilars Clarified is designed to help answer their questions about biosimilars.”

To date, there have been 4 biosimilars approved by the FDA. The most recent approval was Amjevita, a biosimilar of Humira.

Biosimilars Clarified will feature information that addresses common questions regarding biosimilars, such as:

• What are biologic medicines?
• Biosimilars — are they safe and effective?
• The value of biosimilars and increasing access to treatment.
• The availability of support programs for patients taking biosimilars.

By providing information about these drugs, it will likely encourage patients to explore these new biologics that could potentially offer cost savings, according to Merck.

“Merck is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world today, and we have a long-standing commitment to supporting patients and the healthcare community,” Bibila concluded. “We are continuing that commitment with Merck Biosimilars.”