WHO (World Health Organization), pre qualified their first bio-similar.
This newly pre qualified medicine is Samsung Bioepis’ Ontruzant which is a bio-similar version of trastuzumab.
After assessment WHO stated that this product is comparable to its originator in terms of efficacy, safety and quality. Thus, making it eligible for procurement by many national health systems and United Nations agencies.
This would see the alleviation of inaccessible treatment and high cost of medicines for many in poor countries, providing affordable breast cancer treatment for all women.
The cost of this new pre-qualified medicine would be 65% lower than Rituxan making it affordable for many healthcare systems in developing countries.