(NAPSA)—Perhaps your doctor has talked to you about biosimilar medicines or you have heard or read about them in the news—but what are biosimilars? There is a great deal of complexity and confusion about what theyare, how they are made and whythey should matter to patients. A new educational website, Biosimilars Clarified, provides support to patients, caregivers and the health care community by offering straightforward information about biosimilar medicines. There’s a new educational website that provides straightforward information about biosimilar medicines. Manyof today’s important medications are biologic medicines, which are usedto treat serious medical conditions. Biologics are made from living organ- Effective and Well Tolerated—works in the same way in the body and microorganisms like bacteria or yeast. Biosimilars are a type of biological product that are approvedby the U.S. As health care costs continuetorise, biosimilars mayoffer well-tolerated and effective treatment options that have the because they are highly similar to an already FDA-approved biological product, knownas the originator biologic or reference product, and have been shown to have noclinically meaningful differences in terms of the safety, purity and potencyof the product. biologic medicines. They mayalso help reduce health care spending. Generic drugs are chemical copies of is designed to provide clear, concise and straightforward information about biosimilar medicines in a simple, easy- Knowingthe Basics isms such as human or animal cells, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Biosimilars Are Not Generics certain prescription medicines that are madeby using the same formula. The living cells used to make biologics can cause tiny differences between batches of the medicine each timeit’s made. Biosimilars go through many tests to check that they act in a similar way in the body. How Are Biosimilars Similar to Originators? Structure—the shape of the molecule is similar Function—what the medicine doesis similar Clinical Effect—how the medicine treats a particular diseaseis similar MoreAccessand Potentially Lower Costs potential to increase patient access to Education and Support for Patients Support is often an important part of treatment for patients taking biosimilars. Patients are encouragedto log on to Biosimilars Clarified (www.merck clarifiesbiosimilars.com). The website to-use, question-and-answer format. Biosimilars Clarified offers a host of informative features on suchtopics as: e Whatare 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. Merck is working to provide health care professionals, payers and consumers with clarity on biosimilars.
