WHO approves Biosimilar version of Trastuzumab Drugs

A specialized agency of the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has for the first time prequalified a biosimilar version of the drug- Trastuzumab, which is life-saving medicine for women globally. The World Health Organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and is concerned with international public health. A biosimilar medicine is a type of drug derived from living sources rather than any general form of chemical made drugs.

The Trastuzumab is a chemotherapy drug used for breast cancer treatment and has shown high efficiency over the years in the treatment. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that was included by the World Health Organization in its Essential Medicines List in the year 2015, and over the years it has shown high efficiency during the early stage of breast cancer and also in some cases at the advance stages of the treatment as well. The average cost of the Trastuzumab drug is around USD 20,000 whereas its biosimilar version will be 65% cheaper than it.

The biosimilar version of the Trastuzumab drug was supplied by the N L B.V. Samsung Bioepis(a biopharmaceutical company) from the  Netherlands and during tests conducted by the World Health Organization, it was found comparable in terms of safety, quality, and efficiency with the original Trastuzumab drug.  The medicine as now approved by the World Health organization will be available for procurement for all United Nations agencies and also as national tenders. A prequalification from the World Health Organization makes it a quality health product and will provide assurance to the countries for purchasing it.