1. Generics Bulletin
  2. >>Products
  3. >>Biosimilars

EMA And HMA Speak Out In Favor Of Biosimilar Interchangeability

All Biosimilars Can Be Substituted In EU With Member States’ Consent

 
• By Chloe Kent

Stakeholders in Europe have been hesitant to allow interchangeable substitution of biological products, prompting the European Medicines Agency to clarify its stance on the issue.

Pharmacist speaking to patient at counter
Biosimilar interchangeability has a notably different meaning in the US compared to the EU • Source: Shutterstock

The European Medicines Agency and Heads of Medicines’ Agencies Biosimilars Working Group has issued a statement highlighting its support for biosimilar interchangeability. The agencies have emphasized that biosimilars the EMA has approved are all interchangeable as a clinical matter and can be substituted for branded biologics wherever national regulatory agencies allow it.

Joint EMA/HMA Statement On Interchangeability
  • Interchangeability refers to the possibility of exchanging one medicine for another medicine that is expected to have the same clinical effect.
  • HMA and EMA consider that once a biosimilar is approved in the EU it is interchangeable, which means the biosimilar can be used instead of its reference product (or vice versa) or one biosimilar can be replaced with another biosimilar of the same reference product

“Considering all the available scientific evidence and the successful experience with biosimilars in clinical practice over the years, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use and all working parties with expertise in biological medicines and biosimilars support that

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Generics Bulletin for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Biosimilars

Cutting Out The Middlemen? Trump’s Pricing Order Offers Opportunity On PBMs

 
• By Dave Wallace

Donald Trump’s executive order on most-favored-nation prescription drug pricing could provide positive opportunities for the off-patent industry, although US generics and biosimilars association the AAM suggested that the administration might do more good by focusing elsewhere.

Amneal Proud To Be ‘Made In America’ And Ready To Scale Up Its US Manufacturing

 
• By Urtė Fultinavičiūtė

Amneal has set itself apart from competitors who are scrambling to find alternatives if proposed US pharmaceutical tariffs come into place. For the New Jersey-based firm, this is an opportunity to embrace its American identity and open a new chapter of growth.

‘I’ll Be Happy When We Have 40-Plus Assets’ – Sandoz Builds Up Biosimilars

 
• By Dave Wallace

With biosimilars playing an increasingly important role in Sandoz’s business, the firm’s first-quarter results call saw management lay out the latest key developments. Meanwhile, the company also addressed the issue of US tariffs, voicing optimism over both future developments as well as its ability to weather current measures.

Fresenius Kabi Lauds Tocilizumab Momentum As ‘Intense’ Transfer To mAbxience Continues

 
• By Dean Rudge

Fresenius Kabi continued to reap the rewards of its fledgling commercial Biopharma business in the first quarter, as the firm eyes further growth for its tocilizumab biosimilar in the US and Europe in the second half of 2025.

More from Products

Amneal Proud To Be ‘Made In America’ And Ready To Scale Up Its US Manufacturing

 
• By Urtė Fultinavičiūtė

Amneal has set itself apart from competitors who are scrambling to find alternatives if proposed US pharmaceutical tariffs come into place. For the New Jersey-based firm, this is an opportunity to embrace its American identity and open a new chapter of growth.

‘I’ll Be Happy When We Have 40-Plus Assets’ – Sandoz Builds Up Biosimilars

 
• By Dave Wallace

With biosimilars playing an increasingly important role in Sandoz’s business, the firm’s first-quarter results call saw management lay out the latest key developments. Meanwhile, the company also addressed the issue of US tariffs, voicing optimism over both future developments as well as its ability to weather current measures.

Tetris Deal Falls Into Place For UK’s Aspire

 
• By Dave Wallace

Niche generics company Aspire Pharma has struck a deal to acquire a portfolio of products from fellow UK firm Tetris Pharma as it is wound up, paying Tetris parent Arecor £0.5m for UK distribution rights and inventory.