In India, access to health care facilities is still limited to a
very small percentage of population owing mostly to unavailability
of affordable drugs and treatment. Surprisingly, this predicament
has persisted despite the presence of strong and competent generic
pharmaceutical industry which hitherto has been fully supported by
both government policies and statutory framework in its endeavour
to provide drugs as cheaply as possible. As India looks for newer
avenues to meet the healthcare needs of its huge 1.2 billion
population "Biosimilars" or "Similar Biologics"
represent significant potential.
What exactly are Biosimilars?
"Biosimilars" are similar versions of innovator
pharmaceutical product, though not their generic equivalents, which
are marketed after the expiration of the patent. As an enormous no.
of pharmaceutical patents are expiring in the coming years,
biosimilar industry is sure to grow and its capability to produce
affordable biotech medicines
