Generic and biosimilar prescription medicines, 2016

The Generic and biosimilar prescription medicines: TGA annual summary 2016 publication provides details of all generic and biosimilar prescription medicines registered in Australia in 2016.

The trade name, sponsor and active ingredient for each medicine reflects the information initially entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) (i.e. date registered).

For further information on the full wording of each indication please refer to the product's individual 'Public ARTG Summary': Search the ARTG.

Generic and biosimilar prescription medicines: TGA annual summary 2016

On this page: Generic prescription medicines | 2016 registration highlights for chemical entities | Additional 2016 registrations of new generic prescription medicines | Biosimilar prescription medicines

Generic prescription medicines

A generic medicine is an additional brand of an existing medicine. It contains the same active ingredient (the chemical that makes the medicine work) as the existing medicine and can be manufactured and sold by other companies once the patent for the existing brand has expired.

Generic prescription medicines meet the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as the existing medicine and the TGA continually monitors the safety of registered medicines once they become available on the market.

Apart from containing the same active ingredient, generic medicines must also be 'bioequivalent'. That is, if you take the same dose of a generic medicine as an existing medicine, the same amount of active ingredient is absorbed by your body over the same period of time.

First generic medicines

Of the generic prescription medicines registered in 2016, 20 submissions resulted in the registration of the 'first generic' version that contains a particular active ingredient. The listing of the first generic brand of a medicine by the Department of Health triggers a statutory price reduction of 16 per cent under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The first generic version registered by the TGA may not necessarily be the first that is PBS listed. The PBS website should be consulted for further information. TGA registration does not imply PBS listing.

2016 registration highlights for chemical entities

For full information in relation to these products, please refer to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The ARTG will include information relating to the registered strengths, dosage form, packaging, brand names and approved indication.

In this section: Antidotes and agents treating gastrointestinal disorders | Anti-infective agents | Cardiovascular and endocrine agents | Antiemetic and antineoplastic agents | Agents for respiratory and endocrine disorders

Antidotes and agents treating gastrointestinal disorders

domperidone (as maleate)

Domperidone tablets are indicated for the short-term treatment in adults of:

• Symptoms associated with idiopathic or diabetic gastroparesis (once control of diabetes has been established by diet and/or insulin, an attempt should be made to discontinue domperidone)
• Intractable nausea and vomiting from any cause.

Medreich Australia Pty Ltd - 30 May 2016 - Tablet

naloxone hydrochloride

Naloxone injections are indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression, including respiratory depression, induced by opioids including natural and synthetic opioids, propoxyphene, methadone and the narcotic-antagonist analgesics: nalbuphine, pentazocine and butorphanol. Naloxone injections are also indicated for the diagnosis of suspected acute opioid overdosage.

Juno Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd - 10 March 2016 - Injection

Anti-infective agents

abacavir (as sulfate) / lamivudine

The tablets contain a combination of two nucleoside analogues, abacavir and lamivudine and are indicated in antiretroviral combination therapy for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age.

Apotex Pty Ltd - 3 August 2016 - Tablet

atovaquone / proguanil hydrochloride

Atovaquone and proguanil tablets are indicated for prophylaxis of plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and the treatment of plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults.

Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd - 27 June 2016 - Tablet

itraconazole

Itraconazole capsules are indicated for use in adults for the treatment of:

• Superficial dermatomycoses not responding to topical treatment
• Fungal keratitis which has failed to respond to topical treatment or where the disease is either progressing rapidly or is immediately sight threatening
• Pityriasis versicolor not responding to any other treatment
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis not responding to topical treatment
• Oral candidiasis in immunocompromised patients
• Onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes

Systemic mycoses:

• Systemic aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis
• Treatment and maintenance therapy in AIDS patients with disseminated or chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis infection
• Treatment of oropharyngeal and/or oesophageal candidiasis when first line systemic antifungal therapy is inappropriate or has proven ineffective
• Treatment of non-invasive candidiasis in non-neutropenic patients when first-line systemic antifungal therapy is inappropriate or has proven ineffective. This may be due to underlying pathology, insensitivity of the pathogen or drug toxicity.

Generic Partners Pty Ltd - 9 August 2016 - Capsule

moxifloxacin (as hydrochloride monohydrate)

Moxifloxacin tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults with infections caused by susceptible organisms in the conditions:

• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• Community acquired pneumonia
• Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Apotex Pty Ltd | 15 March 2016 - Tablet

Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Ltd - 9 May 2016 - Solution for intravenous infusion

Claris Lifesciences Australia Pty Ltd - 30 August 2016 - Solution for intravenous infusion

tenofovir

Tenofovir tablets in combination with other antiretroviral agents are indicated for the treatment of:

• HIV-infected adults and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older
• chronic hepatitis B in adults
• chronic hepatitis B in paediatric patients 12 years of age and older with compensated liver disease and with evidence of immune active disease, i.e. active viral replication, persistently elevated serum ALT levels or evidence of active inflammation

tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: Apotex Pty Ltd - 29 April 2016 - Tablet

tenofovir disoproxil maleate: Alphapharm Pty Ltd - 15 December 2016 - Tablet

tenofovir disoproxil maleate / emtricitabine

Treatment of HIV-1 infection

Tenofovir disoproxil maleate and emtricitabine combination tablets are indicated for the treatment of:

• HIV infected adults over the age of 18 years, in combination with other antiretroviral agents and
• In combination with safer sex practices for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults at high risk. This indication is based on clinical trials in men who have sex with men (MSM) at high risk for HIV-1 infection and in heterosexual serodiscordant couples

Alphapharm Pty Ltd - 15 December 2016 - Tablet

tobramycin

Micro-organism infections

Tobramycin injections are indicated for the treatment of the following serious infections caused by susceptible micro-organisms:

• central nervous system infections, including meningitis
• septicaemia and neonatal sepsis
• gastro-intestinal infections, including peritonitis
• complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections such as pyelonephritis and cystitis
• lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and acute bronchitis
• bone, skin and skin structure infections, including burns

Cystic fibrosis

Tobramycin inhalation solutions are indicated for the management of cystic fibrosis patients with P. aeruginosa infections. Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients under the age of 6 years, patients with FEV1 ≤ 25% or ≥ 80% predicted at screening, or patients colonized with Burkholderia cepacia (see Product Information).

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Alphapharm Pty Ltd - 25 February 2016 - Injection

Amneal Pharma Australia Pty Ltd - 13 April 2016 - Inhalation solution

Cardiovascular and endocrine agents

bosentan (as monohydrate)

Bosentan tablets are indicated for the treatment of:

• idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
• familial pulmonary arterial hypertension
• pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma, or
• pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital systemic to pulmonary shunts including Eisenmenger's physiology in patients with WHO functional Class II, III or IV symptoms

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

ezetimibe

Adults (≥ 18 years)

Primary Hypercholesterolaemia

Ezetimibe administered alone, or with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin), is indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet in patients with primary (heterozygous familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH)

Ezetimibe, administered with a statin, is indicated for patients with HoFH. Patients may also receive adjunctive treatments (e.g. LDL apheresis).

Children and Adolescents 10-17 years (Pubertal status: boys Tanner Stage II and above and girls who are at least one year post-menarche).

Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH)

Ezetimibe, co-administered with simvastatin (doses up to 40 mg) is indicated as an adjunctive therapy to diet in adolescent patients (10-17 years old) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia where use of a combination product is appropriate:

• patients not appropriately controlled with a statin or ezetimibe alone
• patients already treated with a statin and ezetimibe

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH)

Ezetimibe, co-administered with simvastatin (doses up to 40 mg) is indicated in adolescent patients (10-17 years old) with HoFH. Patients may also receive adjunctive treatments (e.g. LDL apheresis).

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

solifenacin succinate

Solifenacin succinate tablets are indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency or increased urinary frequency.

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

warfarin sodium (as clathrate)

Warfarin tablets are indicated for the treatment of:

• prophylaxis and/or venous thrombosis and its extension and pulmonary embolism
• prophylaxis and/or thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation

Warfarin is not indicated in patients with lone atrial fibrillation who are less than 60 years of age with no risk factors (e.g. previous thromboembolism (TIA, ischaemic stroke), diabetes mellitus, hypertension) and an otherwise normal heart.

Warfarin is indicated for use as an adjunct in the treatment of coronary occlusion.

Apotex Pty Ltd - 5 May 2016 - Tablet

Antiemetic and antineoplastic agents

mitomycin

Mitomycin powder for injection is indicated in the palliative treatment of carcinoma of the stomach, pancreas, colon, lung (non-small cell), breast, cervix, head and neck, liver and bladder.

Omegapharm Pty Ltd - 8 March 2016 - Powder for injection

palonosetron (as hydrochloride)

Palonosetron injections are indicated for prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy.

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Agents for respiratory and endocrine disorders

budesonide

Budesonide nasal spray is indicated for the treatment of short term (3-6 months) prophylaxis or treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 12 years and over and for perennial allergic rhinitis in adults 18 years and over.

Apotex Pty Ltd - 19 September 2016 - Nasal spray

budesonide / formoterol

Asthma

The combination of budesonide and formoterol in a powder for inhalation is indicated for the treatment of asthma where use of a combination (inhaled corticosteroid and long acting beta 2-agonist) is appropriate. This includes:

• Patients who are symptomatic on inhaled corticosteroid therapy
• Patients who are established on regular long acting beta-agonist and inhaled corticosteroid therapy

There are two alternative treatment regimens:

• Maintenance and reliever therapy
• Maintenance therapy

Budesonide / formoterol 400/12 strength should not be used for the maintenance and reliever therapy regimen. Budesonide / formoterol is not indicated in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years as the 100/6 dose is not available.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Budesonide and formoterol powder for inhalation is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe COPD (FEV1 less than or equal to 50% predicted normal) in adults with frequent symptoms despite long-acting bronchodilator use, and/or a history of recurrent exacerbations.

Budesonide and formoterol powder for inhalation is not indicated for the initiation of bronchodilator therapy in COPD.

Teva Pharma Australia Pty Ltd - 19 December 2016 - Powder for inhalation

calcipotriol / betamethasone (as dipropionate)

Ointment containing calcipotriol and betamethasone is indicated for the once daily topical treatment of plaque-type psoriasis vulgaris amenable to topical therapy.

Sandoz Pty Ltd - 26 August 2016 - Ointment

cinacalcet (as hydrochloride)

Cinacalcet tablets are indicated for the treatment of:

• biochemical manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end stage renal disease, receiving dialysis
• hypercalcaemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma
• biochemical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients for whom parathyroidectomy is not a treatment option.

Cinacalcet should be used as adjunctive therapy.

Apotex Pty Ltd - 30 May 2016 - Tablet

fluticasone propionate / salmeterol (as xinafoate)

For the regular treatment of asthma where the use of a combination product is appropriate.

This may include:

• Patients on effective maintenance doses of long-acting beta2-agonists and high-dose inhaled corticosteroids
• Patients who are symptomatic on current inhaled high-dose corticosteroid therapy

For the symptomatic treatment of patients with severe COPD (FEV1 < 50% predicted normal) and a history of repeated exacerbations who have significant symptoms despite regular beta-2 agonist bronchodilator therapy in COPD.

Not indicated for the initiation of bronchodilator therapy in COPD.

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Additional 2016 registrations of new generic prescription medicines

When more than one submission resulted in registration, the number of submissions is provided in square brackets [#].

In this section: Antipsychotics, antidepressants and analgesics | Agents for respiratory and endocrine disorders | Anti-infectives and vaccines | Antineoplastic and haematological agents | Cardiovascular agents

Antipsychotics, antidepressants and analgesics

• Amisulpride
• Aripiprazole
• Atomoxetine (as hydrochloride)
• Levodopa / carbidopa / entacapone
• Cisatracurium besylate [2]
• Donepezil (as hydrochloride)
• Gabapentin
• Levetiracetam
• Metoclopramide (as hydrochloride)
• Olanzapine
• Pregabalin [2]
• Quetiapine (as fumarate) [2]
• Remifentanil (as hydrochloride)
• Rivastigmine
• Rizatriptan (as benzoate)
• Ursodeoxycholic acid

Agents for respiratory and endocrine disorders

• Alendronate acid (as sodium) / colecalciferol / calcium carbonate
• Bimatoprost
• Dorzolamide (as hydrochloride) / timolol (as maleate)
• Fluorouracil
• Glimepiride
• Latanoprost / timolol (as maleate)
• Mometasone furoate (as monohydrate) [2]
• Montelukast (as sodium)
• Olopatadine (as hydrochloride)

Anti-infectives and vaccines

• Adrenaline [2]
• Amoxicillin (as trihydrate) / clavulanic acid (as potassium)
• Azithromycin (as dehydrate)
• Caspofungin (as acetate) [3]
• Entecavir (as monohydrate) [6]
• Linezolid [6]
• Nevirapine
• Valganciclovir (as hydrochloride) [3]
• Voriconazole [4]

Antineoplastic and haematological agents

• Azacitidine
• Imatinib (as mesylate) [3]
• Irinotecan (as hydrochloride) / trihydrate
• Letrozole
• Oxaliplatin
• Pemetrexed (as disodium) [2]
• Tropisetron (as hydrochloride)

Cardiovascular agents

• Amiodarone (as hydrochloride)
• Bivalirudin (as trifluoroacetate) [2]
• Clonidine (as hydrochloride)
• Ezetimibe [3]
• Fenofibrate
• Flumazenil [2]
• Olmesartan medoxomil
• Olmesartan medoxomil / amlodipine (as besylate)
• Perindopril arginine / amlodipine (as besylate)
• Rosuvastatin (as calcium)
• Valsartan / hydrochlorothiazide

Biosimilar prescription medicines

A biosimilar medicine is a version of an already registered biological prescription medicine, which is referred to as the reference medicine. These medicines are referred to elsewhere as similar biological medicinal products (in Europe), similar biotherapeutic products (by the WHO) and subsequent entry products (in Canada). Both the biosimilar and its reference medicine will have core similar characteristics such as physicochemical, biological, immunological, efficacy and safety (demonstrated using comprehensive comparability studies). Most biosimilar medicines are likely to contain biotechnology-derived proteins as the active substance.

etanercept (rch)

Etanercept injections are indicated for the treatment of the following conditions:

Adults (≥ 18 years)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Active, adult rheumatoid arthritis in patients who have had inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Can be used in combination with methotrexate.

Severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in adults to slow progression of disease-associated structural damage in patients at high risk of erosive disease.

Psoriatic Arthritis

The signs and symptoms of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults, when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic therapy has been inadequate. Etanercept has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function.

Plaque Psoriasis

Adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

The signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis in adults.

Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Treatment of adults with active* non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein and/or MRI change who have had an inadequate response to NSAIDs.

*Active disease is defined as a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score of ≥ 4.

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Samsung Bioepis AU Pty Ltd - 22 July 2016 - Solution for injection autoinjector

infliximab

Infliximab injections are indicated for the treatment of the following conditions:

Rheumatoid Arthritis in adults

In combination with methotrexate, indicated for the reduction of signs and symptoms and prevention of structural joint damage (erosions and joint space narrowing) in:

• patients with active disease despite treatment with methotrexate
• patients with active disease who have not previously received methotrexate

Should be given in combination with methotrexate. Efficacy and safety in rheumatoid arthritis have been demonstrated only in combination with methotrexate.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Indicated for the reduction of signs and symptoms and improvement in physical function in patients with active disease.

Psoriatic arthritis

Indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms, as well as for the improvement in physical function in adult patients with active and progressive psoriatic arthritis who have responded inadequately to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy. May be administered in combination with methotrexate.

Psoriasis

Indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or conventional systemic treatments have been inadequate or are inappropriate. Safety and efficacy beyond 12 months have not been established.

Crohn's Disease in Adults and in Children and adolescents (6 to 17 years)

Indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease, to reduce the signs and symptoms and to induce and maintain clinical remission in patients who have an inadequate response to conventional therapies.

Refractory Fistulising Crohn's Disease

Indicated for reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in adult patients.

Ulcerative colitis in Adults and in Children and adolescents (6 to 17 years)

Indicated for the treatment of moderately severe to severe active ulcerative colitis in patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.

For the full approved indications see: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Samsung Bioepis AU Pty Ltd - 28 November 2016 - Powder for injection