Generic 2.0: A call for regulatory vigilance

Biosimilars have the potential to offer affordable treatment to many currently untreatable diseases but striking a balance between affordability and regulation will be crucial

In the day and age of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) grabbing the limelight across the world of science, medicine and business, another healthcare-pharma development is keeping the ecosystem engaged. It’s the biologics versus the biosimilar debate, which has taken a new turn in India with a recent letter to the health ministry, not just from pharma companies but also from representatives of civil societies, patient groups, community, as well as health organisations.

To put it simply, at the core of the debate is a basic premise that drugs must be affordable so that a large number of people can benefit. There’s