WASHINGTON, DC (March 5, 2019) – We wish Dr. Scott Gottlieb the very best in his next chapter. If the early news reports are true, the generic and biosimilars industry will miss this true champion of patient access.
Through his generic and biosimilar action plans; education efforts about the safety and efficacy of the U.S. drug supply; and ongoing and open dialogue with industry, Dr. Gottlieb set a high bar for those who are working to bring relief to American patients from the burden of high drug costs.
Testament to his commitment to bringing more affordable generic and biosimilar medicines to patients are the record number of approvals seen during his tenure. But Dr. Gottlieb understood that approvals were not enough to spur competition, and his leadership extended to improving market conditions to ensure these generic and biosimilar medicines would not be blocked by "shenanigans."
Dr. Gottlieb used his bully pulpit to speak out early and forcefully about brand drug companies withholding samples needed by generic drug makers, about rebate traps and other anti-competitive abuses in the pharmaceutical supply chain which unfortunately widen the gap between patients and the affordable generic and biosimilar medicines they deserve.
Again, we wish Dr. Gottlieb the best in all future endeavors and know that his formidable legacy – that of protecting the needs of patients, their health and their financial well-being – will be long-remembered.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Schwartz
202.249.7147
About AAM
AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 90 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 23 percent of total drug spending.
About the Biosimilars Council
The Biosimilars Council, a division of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), works to ensure a positive environment for patient access to biosimilar medicines. The Biosimilars Council is a leading source for information about the safety and efficacy of more affordable alternatives to costly brand biologic medicines. Areas of focus include public and health expert education, strategic partnerships, government affairs, legal affairs and regulatory policy. More information is available at www.biosimilarscouncil.org.