A biosimilar medicine is a biological medicinal product that is highly similar to an already approved one whose patent has expired.

It is a medicine derived from biological sources, such as micro-organisms, animal cells or human cells. Biological medicines have a more complex molecular structure than a chemically produced non-biological medicine and are approved for the treatment or prevention of many diseases such as inflammatory, autoimmune, neurological and degenerative diseases, chronic kidney failure, tumours, etc.

Yes, absolutely. To be authorized, a biosimilar medicine must demonstrate quality, efficacy and safety comparable to the reference medicine.

Yes. A biosimilar medicine must have the same mode of administration as the biological originator.

All biological medicines (therefore also biosimilars) are complex protein molecules, produced in the laboratory within living systems (such as cells): therefore, the production process can determine minimal differences that are also detected between the different batches of a same biological medicine, both originator and biosimilar. However, these differences do not change its effectiveness and safety.

Yes, the doctor can decide either to start a new therapy directly with the biosimilar medicine, or to replace the biological drug during treatment with its respective biosimilar (and vice versa), always providing the patient with the necessary information. There is no scientific basis for believing that adverse reactions could occur due to switching from one medicine to another.

No, neither the pharmacist nor the patient can change the doctor's prescription.

No. The possible adverse reactions expected are similar to those associated with the reference medicine.

Medicines marked with a black triangle are monitored even more closely than other medicines in order to collect further pharmacovigilance data.

Because the use of biosimilars allows a greater number of patients to benefit from therapies with biological medicines, with the same resources.